oil change basics?

[Tiggie]

Do you know of a handy reference for oils that don't contain detergents?

Nothing off the top of my head but price is a good indicator! If it's less than $1.50/quart, get suspicious. It'll say on the back. It might have an API SA or no API rating at all.

[91waggin]

Do you know of a handy reference for oils that don't contain detergents?

I've usually seen it written on the package.

[91waggin]

Don't forget the very important step of forgetting to install the drain plugs, so that your nice new oil coats the driveway when you pour it in

Pete

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Also managed to drain the entire forward sump on the driveway before I could get the plug back in because I forgot to grab the drain pan. In order to avoid my mother's inevitable lynching, I spent the next four hours pressure washing the stain out of the driveway.

[1987cp]

Personally, I still think $1.50/quart is expensive. Once I made the mistake of getting an extra quart of Mobil-1 at CarQuest .... NINE WHOLE BUCKS they wanted!

[91waggin]

Wal Mart has a 5-quart jug of valvoline semi-synthetic for $14. For some strange reason, the same oil in quart bottles is 4.57 a quart.

[BerniniCaCO3]

autozone has a sale right now: $20 for 5 qts semi-synthetic w/ filter. But yeah; their regular price is $4.50/qt for castrol brand semi-synthetic.

Just did the oil change yesterday; not sure it's worth the trouble, but, I like knowing what I put in my car. The old oil, with just 3500 miles on it, was a lovely rich black :-(

At first I'd gone to autozone and got the regular oil + filter deal, but then after reading the downright scary reviews on the fram extra guard filter, exchanged it for the semi-synthetic & fram tough guard deal.

Two things; I added 5qts back, and dipstick reads well past full, all the way to the ford logo on the dipstick another couple inches up? I thought they fixed the "lying dipsticks" by 1990? Or, when you do an oil change, do you not get all 5 quarts out?

I was also wondering... when I go to salvo or autozone, they tell me the appropriate filter to use. But, the bigger the better, right? So while I got the "TGA8" for my car, is there a longer, fatter filter that will still fit in the same space and has the same threaded hole, but offer more filter area and more volume?

[1987cp]

Yeah, the big jugs are a lot better buy. And the 5-quart jugs are perfect for a stock Windsor since that's all you need for one oil change.

[P72Ford]

I used to use JohnDeere 15W40 in my car. Beautiful oil pressure, and the engine was spotless inside. Superior lubricity and wear protection for a conventional oil. I used Bosch, Napa Gold, etc filters, and changed the oil on a 2000-2500 mile interval.

On the Dodge, its now 9 quarts of Mobil 1 5W30, Extended Performance. I used to use Mopar filters, but now with the relocation, I'm using Napa filters (dual). I'll change it every 3500 miles.

I may switch to a different oil and filter combo next time. I am getting some valvetrain noise at start-up, which I believe is either crappy anti-drainback valves (these are the cheap Napa filters), or an issue with the oil. I will consult a local oil supply house. I will definitely try a better filter next time, and maybe a different oil. I've heard of folks noticing more engine noise with M1, but I hadn't noticed any noise until my last oil change, with these filters.

[Tiggie]

Two things; I added 5qts back, and dipstick reads well past full, all the way to the ford logo on the dipstick another couple inches up? I thought they fixed the "lying dipsticks" by 1990? Or, when you do an oil change, do you not get all 5 quarts out?

I was also wondering... when I go to salvo or autozone, they tell me the appropriate filter to use. But, the bigger the better, right? So while I got the "TGA8" for my car, is there a longer, fatter filter that will still fit in the same space and has the same threaded hole, but offer more filter area and more volume?

If you drained both sumps, replaced the filter, put in five fresh quarts, and started it up and then turned it off and let it sit for 10 minutes, that is your full mark reguardless of what the dipstick says.

If you compare the bogus dipsticks to the real ones, the only difference is where the crosshatched area is. The real ones go up higher (have a higher full mark). Both start at the same place (the low mark). Next time you are at the junkyard, pull a stick from a 1987 for earlier panther.

As for the reason for all this, I think Ford had a lot of oil consumption problems with the lo-po 5.0L. My parents bought a new '87 Tbird and took it back. Brand new it used a quart every 1000 miles, added in half quart intervals. Ford said they wouldn't replace the engine unless it was using a quart every 800 miles or less.

Now for the dipstick part. Anyone notice how quickly that first half a quart goes (easy to tell on the good dipsticks)? It goes fast. My wagon eats that first half a quart in 400 miles. Now resist temptation and don't add any - it will run half a quart low for 2000 miles. By the time I need an oil change at 3000 miles, it's just above add. It always does this! That's on a 200K stock lo-po. So to fix the oil consumption problem, Ford just lowered the full mark! That way it started half a quart low and didn't seem to use as much to owners. Quality care at your service!

For your other question, I think the TGA8 is the standard Ford filter (equal to a Motorcraft FL1A). Should be about 5 inches long. The FL300 was used on the police cars and other models with limited clearance. It's about four inches long. The bigger one has more filter area, but the smaller one doesn't make that much difference.

I have had problems with fram filters and their drainback. It seemed like the filter had to be refilled every time you start the car (oil pressure gauge agreed). I never have that problem with motorcraft so I stick to them!