Oil is the recommended Castrol stuff....been using the same stuff for years.
Re possible lubrication failure??--- It was around 0 degrees C that morning ( was -2 when we were getting it off the trailer)...however was engine warmed in the garage, then chugged down to scrutineering and waited idling for 5 mins, and back to garage, then sat on the dummy grid for 5 mins idling, then an easy warm up lap....think it wold have been warm enough by then?
Dave - re the 496 cluster....I have heard that the repro 899 shafts have 496 - XXX on them , the X being the telltale, as the maker was not allowed to used the Holden part number??. Old mate at the gearbox place assures me that it is the correct ratio...but he is double checking as we speak.
Still learnin...