The proof is in the pudding (oil)
 

Been using Shell Rotella oil 30W in my 12hp. This oil has been in my #127 for 4hrs., total since my last oil change. Fired it up, cut my back lawn & after a 1/2hr., got a 219deg. reading while running.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps15d1ab19.jpg

Then I changed my oil to Amsoil synthetic small engine oil 10/30-30w. Cut the front & side, total time 35min. while running I got this for a reading.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...psd7a76598.jpg

I'll take it. I think its a fair test I did & am

NOW SOLD ON SYNTHETIC! It may be a small variance in temp., So,

"THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING!"

It had a carb re-build, head gasket, new coil, blah, blah :BlahBlah: & was running ever so fine since June. With the new oil it just seemed to slightly smooth out a bit.

I'm not trying to convince ANYONE to switch over. I'm just sold on it & have read COUNTLESS re-views & am stticking to it.

Nik,

Way to go Nik. You don't need to convince me I have been sold on synthetic oil since the late 90's.

I've been a staunch believer in synthetic. Been using it since the 80's. but never in my small motors. DUH!:bash2:

NIK,

Don't you think you have a somewhat small sample size?

What is your statistical error?

:biggrin2:

I guess I'm a little disappointed. I'd have expected a bigger spread in temp. did the ambient temp change much through out your test? did you check the temp in the same general area at the same distance away?
I had an 02 Ultra Classic with a side car and an oil cooler with synthetic oil it would hit the 220 range in slow traffic with hot ambient temps. I don't recall what the oil temp was before the switch. I had a oil temp gauge on it.

I only checked it after running it for 30/35min. & yes the EXACT SPOT while running. Within 2hrs.

Nik,

This hangs in my garage work area. No technical jiber/jaber allowed.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps23f25800.jpg
:ROTF1:

Nik,

I'm a bit of a oil "enthusiast" so to speak. I use synthetic in many of my automobile engines, and I really like extending oil changes. Don't take this as a bash please, just a bit of information, HD have a outstanding add pack, and HD oils have been tested against synthetic oils (even amsoil) and have won over in oil analysis more times than not.

I'm not sure what oil you are running (amsoil does make a oil with higher ZDDP levels) , but many of the oils (SN, SM) produced today are made for cars with roller rockers etc which does is not as hard on the oil/add pack as the older type engines. Now if you want to run synthetic by all means I do as well even in a small air cooled engine but only used as a cleaning agent, synthetics do a great job of cleaning.

Either way the zinc level doesn't scare me these engines don't have any high loads placed on springs, cams etc..

I will say oil prices sure have gone up the last few years