Oil for HO swap

[piranah]

The next question is, synthetic or dino? I heard synthetic is not good on these motors.

[BlackVic_P71]

I'm using dyno, haven't had luck with full synthetic but have used synthetic blend, probably more hype than anything.

[miamibob]

I'm using dyno, haven't had luck with full synthetic but have used synthetic blend, probably more hype than anything.

What issues are you having/had with full synthetic? When I was doing all my own oil changes, I was using Mobil 1 with Motorcraft filters and never had a problem.

[BlackVic_P71]

Only time I used Mobil 1 was on my 01, oil level dropped fast and I changed to Motorcraft blend and never had an oil loss issue after. I don't blame Mobil 1 but haven't tried full synthetic since just because.

[miamibob]

I do remember some "talk" that full synth would find "holes" that dino wouldn't but there would already have to be issues. Never a suggestion that full synth would CAUSE leaks.

[piranah]

I had read that in older engines, full syn would burn off faster. I was gonna go with the Motorcraft syn blend.

[gadget73]

Fake oil is fine. My Mark VII was switched at 180k and at 245k it does not burn oil. It has a minor leak from the rear of the pan gasket, and thats it. Using better oil will not hurt it a bit. The whole "finding leaks" thing is part of the cleaning properties. It will tend to remove old sludge, and if that sludge is plugging holes in gaskets its probably going to leak. If it does, that gasket needed changing anyway.

[RobertB]

I've used 5W-30 synthetic oil since I bought the 90 Crown Vic at 24,725 miles. I'm still using 5W-30 synthetic as the car nears its 450,000 mile mark.

[DerekTheGreat]

I've used 5W-30 synthetic oil since I bought the 90 Crown Vic at 24,725 miles. I'm still using 5W-30 synthetic as the car nears its 450,000 mile mark.

Wow, impressive. What brand of oil & oil filter do you use? Notice anything else after changing it?

Ashley's '89 TC has been changed over to Castrol 10W-30 Edge for about 3k miles now and if anything it's valvetrain noise has quieted down a bit. Color is a bit darker than when it first went in. Car still seems to burn a bit of oil, doesn't leak it as far as I can tell.

My '88 TC has been changed to Valvoline 10W-30 Synpower for about 1k miles now. When I bought the car it was using oil, about as much as my '85 LTD used so I thought that was just normal for a Ford 302, hell, the cas cap even has "Check Oil" printed on it in. That oil was clean and stayed clean up until I changed it some 3k miles later. During the course of that 3k though I'd add 10W-30 Synpower whenever it was low. Now it's about 1k miles into it's oil change. Valvetrain noise is the same. Oil consumption, has gone to zero however. Color is only a smidge darker than when the oil first went in. Not sure what to make of that, some people claim that the oil getting dark is a good thing, means the detergents and stuff are working but I haven't been shown an actual study that proves that. I also read some stuff where people claim that the Valvoline Synpower is good for reducing oil consumption and even oil leaks, also not sure what to make of that for the long run.

I've been a Castrol guy since I took auto mechanics I back in high school, never done me wrong. Lately I've been spending too much time on Just Rolled Into The Shop and people always post about how Castrol makes for a sludgy engine due to higher wax contents than other oils, so I've decided to conduct my own homebrew study if you will. Ash's '89 gets the tried and true while my car gets the variable..... Both of our Ford's get FL-1A Motorcraft filters.

[gadget73]

I've used 5W-30 synthetic oil since I bought the 90 Crown Vic at 24,725 miles. I'm still using 5W-30 synthetic as the car nears its 450,000 mile mark.

Solid proof that good oil and regular changes does wonders for longevity.

[RobertB]

What brand of oil & oil filter do you use?

In the beginning, I was using Mobil 1, but then I realized that synthetic oil is synthetic oil. Now I just use AutoZone, O'Reilly's, or Walmart Synthetic. As for the oil filter, I usually use a Fram ToughGuard. (Hint: When I first got the car, I also installed magnetic oil drain plugs.)

Notice anything else after changing it?

When replacing valve cover gaskets, I see that the insides of the valve covers are extremely clean. No sludge building up in there.

[DerekTheGreat]

That's what I'm starting to think, but I'm still loyal to the age old axiom, "If it hasn't done ya wrong..."
I was fram oil filter guy but after seeing cutouts of their filters I switched to Motorcraft for the Ferds, AC Delco for the GM's or WIX for Chrysler. I think they're all made by WIX anyway.

Do you ever see any build up on the drain plugs?

No sludge is a good thing. What are your driving habits and how often do you change the PCV valve?

[gadget73]

My Mark VII was switched to fake oil at about 180k, and the inside of that engine is the cleanest i've ever seen. I've had the valve covers off and the timing cover, and things are clean and shiny in there. Not even that brown baked-on look that is typical, the iron is grey and the oil pump pickup brightly reflects light through the oil. I've never seen one that wasn't almost black unless it was being put into an engine new.

[RobertB]

Do you ever see any build up on the drain plugs?

No, not really. Just metal "dust" picked up by the magnetic drain plugs.

What are your driving habits...

The Crown Vic is my daily driver to work (70 highway/country road miles round-trip), and I also use it on my long-distance trips to Las Vegas, S. California, the Bay Area, and the Pacific Northwest.

...and how often do you change the PCV valve?

Y'know, I've never changed the PCV valve. However, since the car goes in every 2 years to be smogged, if they told me to change the PCV valve, I would.

[gadget73]

Its not directly part of the emissions system, or at least not in a way that would show up on a sniff test. it just helps control oil leakage. Bet you a buck the screen under it is packed solid and the rubber grommet has turned to rock. The valve itself really doesn't go bad, its the other two parts that get messed up. I changed what I believe to be the original on the Mark VII at 225k, and I could stand on the grommet without distorting it. I weigh 260, and the new part will smash flat in your fingers.


If you're getting metal on the drain plugs, you have very serious issues.