79 f250 best oil

[pittmanjustin]

I just got a 79 f250 4x4 400 4spd its my first ford. What would be the best oil it doesnt smoke or leak anywhere and the factory oil gauge stays about halfway after warmup when cold its almost on the h thanks

[77bigblock]

I use Brad Penn 10w-30.

[spastik monkey]

Any full synthetic 10-30 should do ya fine. If you looking to pick up some fuel economy and it don't get too hot where you are, go with a 5-30 synthetic.

[jimandmandy]

Your profile says MS for state of Mississippi, correct? Then cold starting and the main advantages of full synthetic are wasted, unless you want to greatly extend drain intervals. "Any" full synthetic wont have more zinc to protect the flat-tappet cam than conventional oil. Since Brad Penn is a "boutique" conventional product that you need to mail order, making the net cost high. Might I suggest some alternatives that are available at most any local auto parts store. Chevron Delo 400, Shell Rotella T, and others have 1200ppm zinc and usually retail for way less than $20 a gallon. There are synthetic versions of those oils also, for around $30 a gallon. The other alternative are European car formulas of the better-known expensive full synthetics. Castrol Syntec ONLY in the 0W-30 grade is one of the best. Mobil One EP or European Car Formula (only) is another exellent choice.

[dkf]

A 15w-40 Rotella or Delo is a popular oil for these engines due to the higher levels of zinc and phos. I've been running 10w-30 full synth in my original (never touched from factory) 74' 302 with good results but I'm up the northeast and the engine was gunky from sitting a lot of years. The next change will be with a 15w-40 Chevron Delo because I don't drive it much anymore and want to cut down on oil change costs vs a full synthetic. If I remember correctly a 5qt jug of Delo at wally world is in the $14 range.

[tbm3fan]

I just read somewhere that the HDEO lubes are now at 1100 ppm for zinc today. Also read a Shell paper about who really needs to use the higher zinc and who doesn't. My 302 with high lift cam and double springs needs VR1 Valvoline for sure. My original 1972 360 doesn't need the 1100 ppm level. Besides the zinc declines with the age of the oil and with an oil change once a year at 2000 miles I have no worries.

Since I live in a region where my older vehicles, when used, will run between 45-85F I don't need a synthetic. I have used Penzoil Platinum in several engines to help clean out the engines since the vehicles were never originally owned by me. That was the only purpose. When they are done I put in a 5W-30 SN oil in 6 of my 8 vehicles. I want quick start up flow, after sitting, and then need only -30 at operating temperature in my region. Penzoil yellow 5W-30 has one of the highest zinc levels for an SN rated oil along with the phosphorus. Also a decent TBN and Viscosity Index.

As for the HDEO oils, such as Delo, Rotella or Delvac, I have never seen them in 5qt. jugs. I have a Chevron distributor 5 blocks from me for 10W-30 and he has no 5 qt. jugs in his inventory.

[ford390gashog]

The only HDEO that comes in 5 quart jugs is the Motorcraft 15w40 the rest come in 1 and 2.5 gal jugs.

[dkf]

I just double checked the Delo I have and it is a 4quart jug. I'm so used to buying 5qt jugs for the other vehicles an its pretty much the same size so I thought it was a 5qt jug. My bad.

[jimandmandy]

Rotella T, both conventional and syn, as well as Delvac 1300 Super are now on sale at O'reillys in gallon jugs. $20 a gallon for full syn is quite a bargain. We even race motorcycles using Rotella T6 5W-40.