I`d suggest that you read the book through and then re-read certain sections to get the full benefit, there is alot of good info within but it also needs to be kept within the correct context in order to be true.

Have you read this book?.............the book is talking about 2 stroke engines;What are you tryin' to say?....................what applieis to 1 2 stroke applies to all 2 strokes..................the correct context is ALL 2 stroke engines....................Mark

I found a copy online & it is written about racing motorcycle engines. The copy I had did not have a copywrite date, but I suspect it was written in the '70's.

He doesn't say more oil gives more power, but that more oil in the fuel allows the engine to run harder especially at high speeds when the fuel/air mixture leans out. To me that means without breaking down or wearing out.
Since lawn equipment is designed to run at full speed all the time I have to assume the engine designers have accounted for this, although who knows with the EPA getting involved. Not that a little more oil will hurt on a hard working engine, but will mixing at 20:1 help a modern engine other than fouling it or keeping mosquitoes away?

edsacre: Read it again; there is a chart that shows a comparison of 3 different mixes,and the power output result...Hard facts,wich is the only way you can compare....Did you see were he said that vegatable oil is the best for protection against wear?Did you see why it was the best?

But who uses castor bean oil in thier weed wacker? As he said it is hydroscopic & not relevant to real world applications. The book was first published in '72 which is the version I have.
Can't say I've read & studied the whole book, but as it pertains to high performance racing engines the info has to be taken in context.

The information is about 2 stroke engines,racing or otherwise;what applies to a 2 stroke engine,applies to all 2 stroke engines as far as lube oil goes,because ALL 2 strokes rely on oil being mixed with the fuel,either in a pre-mix,or direct injection,for lubrication...... More powerful(And usually hotter runing) engines demand better oil,and the better the oil,the less wear and tear on the engine,therefore if you use the best oil,your equiptment will last that much longer,RIGHT?........................I'm getting the feeling you think the book deals strickly with racing engines,and racing engines have a totally different way of lubricating, than,let's say a weed whacker.......................that's simply not so;ALL 2 strokes are oiled the same way,that is,all internal parts are oiled by the oil you put in the fuel . The other side of the coin is vegetable oil is not practical for the homeowner to use,but if it protects a powerful engine BETTER than anything else,It has to be THE BEST OIL!! Right?

Go back and read the book again jammer, it doesn`t say that vegetable oil protects better than anything else, it says that some veggie oil is as good as some synthetic and that oil ratios and types used are purpose specific. Why do you come across as being obnoxious about this?

This book does deal primarily with racing engines.

My version of the book was revised and reprinted in May of 2002.

You're getting all bent out of shape for nothing................you make it sound as though this book is only for racing engines,when it's not....The title is 2STROKE performance tuning,and it talks about string trimmer's, chainsaw's etc. My book clearly states veg oil is the best for protection against wear......not as good as synthetic for cleanliness....And then, the test was shown that more oil gives more power;you fail to mention that in your argument,.........Plus;how many chainsaw's do you know of that get used at light throttle.........All the chainsaw's I've ever used,and have seen being used get used at full throttle;that's basically a racing engine scenario type of use,RIGHT? So even if the book talks ONLY about strictly racing engines,the princables would still apply from a lubrication standpoint....................better oil protects better against wear......

Jammer,

If you are aiming at me with your reply, no, I`m not bent out of shape at all, I just disagree with your interpretation of what you`ve read.

You and I do agree that a richer oil/gas ratio offers better protection, we also agree that under many circumstances a richer ratio will produce more power, but there are caveats to that statement.

My book clearly states that some castor bean based oils, not generically vegetable oils, are as good for wear protection as SOME synthetics, not all. Furthermore, castor bean oils are notorious for gummy deposits. If you are constantly tearing the engine down as you would with a racing engine you would also be cleaning it on a regular basis. A daily driver type engine that doesn`t get regular cleaning is going to eventually suffer from the gumming. Synthetics like the now discontinued Mobil MX2T are excellent at decarbonizing and degumming those nasty engines run regularly on castor oil, maybe some of the other synthetics will be as well. I haven`t had need yet to find out but I guess I`ll have to try something new now, maybe the Castrol synthetic when my 2T supply runs out.

Your original response said to re-read the information,and keep it in context.............my book states that castor bean (vegatable oil) oil is the Best:better than all,including synthetic,for protection agianst wear.........that's a cut-and-dried statement,in black-and-white.........And this guy really did his reasearch.....................there's supposed to be an updated version available..........perhaps the synthetics are now as good as castor bean oil.................