oil?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 4, 2012 | 09:33 AM

XTfx4

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 49

Likes: 0

oil?

Have been researching on here about oil types and brands etc. seeing a lot about running a diesel oil (15w40) .. have been using 10w30 . Due for a change .and was wondering if this would be good for where i live in north east Ohio with the cold temps here? i have a 79 350 with a 400 engine. thanks

Feb 4, 2012 | 10:15 AM

F-250 WARHORSE

Cargo Master

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 2,364

Likes: 117

From: starship enterprise

In my 400 and 460 I thought anything over 10w-30 acted a little heavy in the winter. It holds higher pressure, but like sae30 or 20w-50 took longer to see the guage come up on start up. As for the oil though, it is good oil.

Feb 4, 2012 | 12:20 PM

mark a.

Lead Driver

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 8,922

Likes: 152

Everybody has their opinions. I would use Brad Penn 10-40. It has the right ZDDP levels to keep your engine Lubricated and protected. I don't like diesel oils and I won't use them anymore.

Feb 4, 2012 | 12:25 PM

montana_highboy

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 8,261

Likes: 15

From: Big Sky Country

I've been running Shell Rotella T 15w40 in both my gassers and diesels for over 15yrs now, plenty of ZDDP (typically between 1200-1500ppm) and it's available everywhere.

Feb 4, 2012 | 01:04 PM

fmc400

MSEE

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 10,386

Likes: 35

From: Austin, TX

Are you having any oil pressure issues? What is the problem that prompted the potential change? How many miles on this 400? I had to run 20W50 in my 400 in its later years.

Feb 4, 2012 | 01:28 PM

Bullitt390

Certified Thread Hijacker

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 14,441

Likes: 59

For any older flat tappet engine it would be advantageous to run a CJ-4 rated oil. Whether it was 10W30 or 15W40 or a synthetic 5W40.

For all my performance builds I used Rotella 15W40. I also use Rotella 15W40 and sometimes 5w40 in my motorcycle.

My little Ranger with the mighty 2.9 I was running 15W40 (owner's manual calls for 10W40), but with temps dipping under 20 the worn lifters didn't care for the heavy 15W oil and I switched to Rotella 10W30 and all is well.

Josh

Feb 4, 2012 | 01:31 PM

fmc400

MSEE

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 10,386

Likes: 35

From: Austin, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullitt390

My little Ranger with the mighty 2.9 I was running 15W40 (owner's manual calls for 10W40), but with temps dipping under 20 the worn lifters didn't care for the heavy 15W oil and I switched to Rotella 10W30 and all is well.

My '88 Ranger in high school had a 2.9, now that I think about it.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack.

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Joe Kucinski

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

Brett Foote

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Michael S. Palmer

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Verdad Gallardo

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Joe Kucinski

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Brett Foote

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Michael S. Palmer

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Brett Foote

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Joe Kucinski

Feb 4, 2012 | 02:25 PM

77bigblock

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 439

Likes: 0

From: Sussex

I use Brad Penn 10W30 in all of my 3 trucks including my daily driver. I have been happy and the oil always look good for a long time.

Feb 4, 2012 | 02:58 PM

#10

XTfx4

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 49

Likes: 0

oil?thanks

thanks for all the responses. why the change ... new to these old trucks just got it about a year ago. always doing research to learn as much as possible. not having any issues with pressure. the engine as been rebuilt prior to me.has about 50,000 on it so the PO said. it runs good . just trying to see what is out there instead of just going by what the guy at auto zone reads of a computer screen. the engine is leaking from the rear main as well as from the front . want to keep this truck for the long haul , a slow and steady restoration! thanks again

Feb 4, 2012 | 07:39 PM

#11

Blue and White

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 2,553

Likes: 10

Rotella is available in 10W30. Walmart usually stocks it. Recently, the 10W30 seems to have switched to a semi synthetic blend. Nothing wrong with semi synthetic but sometimes older engines will use more oil with it.

Feb 4, 2012 | 08:06 PM

#12

Bullitt390

Certified Thread Hijacker

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 14,441

Likes: 59

There is Rotella Dino 15w40 and 10w30

Then there is SB 10w30 semi-synthetic

Full synthetic 5w40 and some places can get full synthetic 0w40

I hav found it really depends on the Walmart as to what they carry. The two super walmarts near me are completely different in what they offer.

Josh