Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Valve Train Noise

I use Fuchs Silkolene V-twin 20-50 and have not noticed any undue valve train noise.

Same

A fully synthetic oil alternative for an extra £10 per oil change is Motul 7100 4T 20W-50. It meets Harley Davidson V-Twin specifications. I have used this since the first oil change (almost 12,000 miles ago) and have had no excessive valve train noises either.
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-913-motul-71...with-ester.aspx

Exactly! What ever oil you use make sure its got Zinc in it and specifically spells out for V twin use

I may be wrong, but I don't think you'll find many V-Twin rated 20-50 oils with any zinc. For flat tappet cams and braking in motors, zinc seems to be the requested product, but I wasn't aware that you needed to continue to use any oil with zinc additive.

I believe that zinc is not EPA friendly. Regular API oil is limited to 800ppm zinc/phosphorous and diesel oil has 1200ppm of zinc/phosphorous.

One of the highest load areas of the S&S motor is the valve train and they use roller lifters, so there is not a lot of friction.

I've used Amsoil in my Harley, I've used Mobil 1 and most recently Liqui-Moly 20/50 Harley oil. This oil is made in believe in Germany so it should be available for most of you guys.

I think I'll use Liqui-Moly again on my next oil change.

I used Motul 7100 4T 20W-50 for the last change.

Doesn't sound like the noise is translating into increased wear. So, am happy to accept it as simply part of the engine.

Just have never heard a valve train make so much noise and not be tapping too hard on the ends of the valves (rather than something closer to a pushing action).

Live & learn.

Our S&S engines have hydraulic tappets so once the oil pressure has built up the tappet clearance is taken up anyway.
If you think these engines are noisy, have a listen to a Vincent twin (Rapide or Shadow). These make our engines sound very quite.
I had a Vincent for 30 years and the noisy ones were always the quickest.

Observational note here: When I replaced the hockey puck air cleaner cover with the S&S Muscle cover the noise of the air intake increased a lot. Part of the reason that Morgan used that style of cover was for noise abatement. Trim where you can. When my cam belt self-destructed I was sent a new belt along with the spacer kit. That has added more mechanical noise to the front as well.

I find the valves to be well behaved. They are very quiet when cold and the oil is still super sticky but when the car and oil finally warm up their true character comes out!

Every improvement to make this car better also seems to make it louder... must think on this

I'd be very surprised if the S&S motor needed Zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) as the reason it is mostly omitted from modern oils (except some racing ones) is that it's a catalyst killer.

FWIW - the S&S recommended Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 spec sheet shows 1,750 ppm Zinc and 1,600 ppm Phosphorus.