Engine Oil: what's best?

[MadMax]

I dont think so MadMax. The bit of research i did really pointed to full synthetic as being better, because its more consistent in its properties than hybrid or mineral.

Yep, synthetic is better. How do I know? Lent my son a Sigma with a brand new motor (full rebore, new pistons, rings, crank grind, etc) with Mobil 1 in it. Block cracked on him, welsh plug popped out, but he drove it 15 km further on with no coolant. Didn't seize, but the head cooked and there was a nice gap between the block and head when I got to it. Another dead Sigma motor! I think that was about the time I was ready to give up on Sigmas.
Since then I haven't bothered with synthetic oil, why have a perfectly good engine in many years time when the car dies for a different reason? Now, if you are running a Taxi 50 to 100 thousand km per year, it's a different story.

[Victa Twin]

Yep, synthetic is better. How do I know? Lent my son a Sigma with a brand new motor (full rebore, new pistons, rings, crank grind, etc) with Mobil 1 in it. Block cracked on him, welsh plug popped out, but he drove it 15 km further on with no coolant. Didn't seize, but the head cooked and there was a nice gap between the block and head when I got to it. Another dead Sigma motor! I think that was about the time I was ready to give up on Sigmas.
Since then I haven't bothered with synthetic oil, why have a perfectly good engine in many years time when the car dies for a different reason? Now, if you are running a Taxi 50 to 100 thousand km per year, it's a different story.

Wasn't a HM engine was it?
About 5 or 6 years ago I had a recoed Diesel Toyota 2.8 that seized. Similar thing. Popped a welsh plug, cooked it and totally scored the bores. In fact 2 pistons had cracked gudgeon pin piers the motor got so tight . The cylinder head was stuffed. A massive crack in it.
So I get the sump off and here's the thing - none of the bearing caps matched the connecting rods at all. We're not just talking mismatched from the same engine, we're talking from a different 2.8 engine entirely. Worse, one of the connecting rods was so poorly treated there was a big knick in the machined bearing surface of the big end that pushed into the back of the bearing shell, that then scored its crankshaft big end journal leaving a circular gouge in it. This was not the cause of the seizure but still a DISGUSTING lack of competence or care. I wonder who they have there assembling motors? They must've gone to the monkey enclosure at the zoo for their day release labour supply. One wonders if they checked the ring gaps or the piston clearances?? The motor was only 9 months old.