The Project Pad

Looks like bronze, kind of a gold color, this is from dumping the contents of the filter into the drain pan, oil changed once a year at about 2,500 miles max, 75% of the mileage is on track,
2.6L 20v no turbo
substantial mods, EFI, E85
Never revved above 6,000
Valvoline VR1 20/50

2nd. pic is the most accurate, 3rd pic shows too much of the scuffed plastic pan.....

Only way to know for sure is a used oil analysis.

Blackstone would be pretty handy for you as it's domestic, I lucked into a local place that was cheaper to begin with and turned into nearly half price with the employer discount.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

The only thing bronze I can think of is the connecting rod bushings.

Heated crank and rod bearings will get that tint too sometimes. Good oil pressure?

carl wrote:Heated crank and rod bearings will get that tint too sometimes. Good oil pressure?

Yes, 70+psi cold, 50psi hot.
I see about 265° max oil temps on track, I have a 19 row Earls oil cooler, along with the AAN windage tray and a 7A aluminum oil pan.

PRY4SNO wrote:Only way to know for sure is a used oil analysis.

Blackstone would be pretty handy for you as it's domestic, I lucked into a local place that was cheaper to begin with and turned into nearly half price with the employer discount.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

You know... I completely forgot that I did an analysis with them back in '14, I'll have to dig up the findings, no issues found back then....... I've always seen flakes like this when dumping the filter contents, at least it's doing it's job!

Found the analysis, PDF file.

Does your car have a distributor? I'm pretty sure (but not 100%) the shaft in the distributor runs in bronze bushings at both ends. Also weren't there some aftermarket bronze distributor drive gears?

I'm actually wondering if the color of the oil isn't causing the bronze coloring. In my experience, metal flakes like that in the oil is a sign of bearing wear.

Dan, does it stick to a magnet?

I agree with elaw unless you simply don't use the 034 dizzy gear