I'm getting ready to change the oil in my Bronco for the first time since I bought her. 96' XLT 5.8L. My owners manual specs Motorcraft 5w-30 oil. This oil is available to me for cheaper than most of the name brands I see on the shelf at the auto parts stores. Are most of you using the Motorcraft oil or spending the money on the higher dollar stuff?

The owners manual specs the FL-820 oil filter for my motor. The only one I've seen at the auto parts stores is the FL-820S. Are these 2 filters different? I do have the factory oil cooler adapter that the filter screws into. Does this adapter require the use of a shorter filter? The filter that's on there now looks to be shorter than what I'm used to seeing on Ford V-8's.

Just wanting to make sure I keep this truck in tip top shape. Thanks for any help.

 

i would use the fl820s filter it is just the updated filter it has a silicone anti drainback valve. what kind of motorcraft oil did you find is it sl or sm rated you want to avoid using th sm oil it lacks the additives to protect the cam.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. As for the filter, that's the kind of info this place is great for. When I asked at the auto parts store what the difference in the 2 filter numbers was the guy couldn't answer me. You'd think that they would know it's an updated filter from the 1996 ones.

As for the oil, I didn't look at the ratings when I was in the store. Motorcraft 5W30 XO5W30QSP is what Advance Autoparts lists as the oil they sell. They have it for $1.98 a quart which seems reasonable to me. I'll have to check the ratings before I buy it, thanks for the ratings tip.

 

Interesting... I just rechecked my 1996 owners manual....Under oil recommendations it says "never use oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG." I never realized there were so many oils to avoid out there. I guess since 1996 a few more have been added to the list.

 

The probablities of find any oils in that rating are fairly slim since they haven't been made in many years. There was some SA at one of the dollar stores I heard about and the problem there is that it has no additive package. Do not ever use it in anything even old machinery. The SM production of Motorcraft is wanting in the additives department. A better buy for your Bronco would be Havoline 5w-30. It has a large dose of moly in it, about half that of Redline, but at a bargain price. Advance did have it on sale for something like $1.29 QT. Might want to look at it. If you want to use an additive, buy the Valvoline Synpower and use only half a bottle in your Bronco. It has LOTS of zinc and phos. that the SM oils are short on. A half bottle will more than make up the difference, but do not use a whole bottle because the carrier fluid will change the viscosity as it is very thick.