PennGrade 1 Engine Oil | Air-Cooled VW & Porsche | SAE 50 Heavy-Duty Straight-Weight (27-7115-6)
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PennGrade 1 High-Performance Engine Oil — SAE 50 Heavy-Duty Straight-Weight, High-Zinc (1 qt)
A synthetic-blend, high-zinc engine oil engineered for air-cooled, classic, and flat-tappet engines. Outstanding film strength under thermal stress, strong anti-wear protection, and shock-load capability that modern low-zinc oils simply cannot match.
Straight-weight SAE 50 — the heaviest weight in the PennGrade 1 lineup. Used in hot climates, sustained high-load operation, and built engines with deliberately loose bearing clearances. Not recommended for cold-start operation below ~70°F.
Vehicle Fitment
- Air-Cooled VW: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4 engines (stock and built)
- Porsche: 356, 911, 912, 914 (consult manual for grade selection)
- Flat-tappet engines: any engine requiring elevated zinc/phosphorus anti-wear additives, and vintage engines built to pre-emissions API specifications
Why Choose PennGrade 1?
PennGrade 1 is the modern brand name for the legendary "Brad Penn" green oil — refined in Pennsylvania from paraffinic crude, with a high-zinc additive package (ZDDP) that has long made it the favorite of vintage, air-cooled, and flat-tappet engine builders. Made in the USA.
Key Features & Benefits
- High ZDDP anti-wear: maintains the elevated zinc/phosphorus barrier flat-tappet cams and rockers depend on.
- Heaviest straight weight: SAE 50 for hot climates, sustained high load, and built engines with loose bearing clearances.
- Strong film strength: holds up under thermal stress and shock loads better than modern low-zinc oils.
Technical Specifications
- EMPI Part #: 27-7115-6
- Grade: SAE 50 (straight weight)
- Volume: 1 quart bottle, sold individually (case of 12)
- UPC: 707924007244
- Country of Origin: USA
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does an air-cooled VW need high-zinc oil? Air-cooled VW engines have no catalytic converters but do use flat-tappet camshafts and rocker geometry that depend on a high zinc/phosphorus (ZDDP) barrier layer. Modern low-zinc API SP/SN oils can wipe a cam lobe in a flat-tappet engine; PennGrade 1 maintains the high ZDDP levels these engines were designed around.
- When should I use SAE 50? SAE 50 is the heaviest weight in the lineup — used in hot climates, sustained high-load operation, and built engines with deliberately loose bearing clearances. It is not recommended for cold-start operation below ~70°F.
- Is this the same as the original Brad Penn green oil? Yes. PennGrade 1 is the modern brand name for the legendary "Brad Penn" oil, refined in Pennsylvania from paraffinic crude with the same high-zinc additive package.