oil

The best oil is one that has the anti-wear additives for the flat tappet cams to protect the cam lobes and lifters from wear. All oil "had" these additives when engines had flat tappet lifters but since modern engines now have overhead cam engines or engines with roller lifters the anti-wear additives have been eliminated, this allows engines to use very thin oil like my modern personal pickup which uses 0W-30W. These modern engines are designed for this thin oil without the wear additives for lifers and cams. About the only oil left with the anti-wear additives is the oil for the diesel engines. Because of the high compression, the diesels still need this extra wear protection. I have a collection of cars, a real '66 GT-350, stock Model A Roadster, a flathead '32 roadster and bunch of unfinished flatheads powered projects, a couple of '32 coupes and another '32 roadster. A couple of '64 Falcon "projects". A '70 Boss 302 Mustang, a "34 BB truck project, one '33 and one '34 pickup and a two chain-drive Mack Trucks (projects) and a few more cars. All of these vehicles will need the diesel oil to protect the cams and lifters. About the oil left for those cars with regular old cams and lifters is Valvoline 20W-50W diesel oil or an equivalent diesel oil.
 
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bobsmanstuff said:
I'm sure it's been gone over on here before. What's the best oil and weight in a 53' 239? I've been using 20/50.
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I'm curious, as we both know, it gets a little chilly up here in Minne snow ta,
so what is the coldest temperature you drive your '53 in ?
That could make a little difference on what weight oil to use...



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Bob,
I asked the same question a few months ago. I had changed the oil and put in 10w30 & had close to zero pressure when the engine warmed up!
I have had the car for 3 years and it's been on blocks for most of the time, so when I finally got the brakes sorted out I started driving it. I had changed the oil I once, following my son's advice, I used his vacuum pump to drain the oil. So much for that, after I put in the new oil it was still black!
This time I went under and drained it properly, purged the filter housing and put in the 10w30. Terrible oil pressure when hot.
Ford barn to the rescue...yea. Most recommended diesel because of the additives as mentioned above. I finally settled on Shell Rotella 15w-40, non synthetic Heavy Duty.
My oil pressure (52 Ford dashboard guage) stays in the solid "in spec" line regardless of engine temp. Thanks Guys. I also got an eddication about engine oils, like 0w types?! I had not shopped for engine oil past my garden tractor needs in decades. ��
However, if your oil pressure is as good why change? Or are you just seeing what the yudder folks are using?
Parden me for being long winded. JP ��
 
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