what type / grade of engine oil is best suited to the ford zetec engine? My engine is build for the 750mc kitcar championship, so far this season the big end bearings have failed twice (only been out 3 times). I ve been told there is no heavy duty bearing available any more for the zetec (is this true?) i have always used valvoline racing oil in my racing pinto engine cars in the past and never had any problems. but this oil is not available in a 5 / 30 which is what i am currently running. any advise would be grateful. (bring back the pinto!)

would it worth having a look at your sump ? is it oil starvation rather than quailty of the oil,

I agree with Jon, more likely to be no oil getting there in the first place, than wrong type of oil.

Have a word with Dunnel, they've been racing these engines for years. They suggested Ford zetec oil works just fine...

the sump i have is a Race line one, and the money it cost i hope it should be up to the job. i will speak to Dunnell and see if he can shed some light. thanks for your help. and by the way how do i change my icq ref?

it is probably true about the heavy duty bearings, the same stands for the Vauxhall XE engine, there are heavy duty bearings available for the 8v engine but there are not the right width for the 16v engine.

Re the oil, I don't know but I was warned against using Valvoline oil, by somebody who builds race engines for a living and claimed to have lots a lot of engines to it. I am very sceptical about this but have followed his recommendation to use Duckhams QXR synthetic now.