Thanks gents, I noticed no one mentioned Synthetic, I gather thats a No NO then....

i guess you could run synthetic, but i think they're all designed for modern engines and wouldnt be suitable for the ol' a-series.

So I went looking for oil at Kmart today...

There's a bunch of SG-rated 25W-50 or 20W-60 oils, including the KMX that Doc prefers.. except the KMX quotes "very high levels of detergent".

I thought high-detergent oils were no good in a Mini gearbox?

I ended up with Castrol Edge, 25W-50 (SG), mainly because it mentioned nothing of detergents on the pack.

Although, there was this cheap looking no-name-brand oil, 25W-50 rated to SF for like $9 for 5L...

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Folklore had it that high detergent levels were detrimental to the needle bearings and layshaft.
May have been true once, but as an engineer I'd suggest it depends on the quality of the layshaft, some of which were real crap in recent times.
Any layshaft you can file is not a layshaft, it is a drift.
I would suggest the latest oils have even MORE detergent in them for modern engines.

GR uses the KMX 20W/50 oil in his road cars and race engines, including Ford BDAs revving to 9,500. Never ever had a problem he says.
I've had none either, my oil pressure after a fast freeway run is still 70psi, hot. Unlike for example Castrol G**.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

What about an A+ engine? Would the above responses be applicable also?

I'm running HPR30 presently, which I put in the 998 about 10 weeks ago.. I'll probably look at KMX for the next fill, based on price and local opinion. If it's true that the formula has changed in recent times, HPR30 is definitely not worth the ~$30 I paid last time.

Simon, what'd you end up paying for a bottle of Edge? Curious to know whether to sway to the 'brand name' rather than just going for the cheap stuff (which comes with such a strong reputation)..

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Gareth.

Yes, I run a 1293A+ in the wife's car. Good hot oil pressure with both KMX 20W/50 and Edge 25W/50.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Over the odds I'd guess, $33 for 5L.

Based on Doc's assessment, it's KMX next time. He and GR can't both be wrong

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges