Just wondering if an oil additive should be used . I have a 351w from an 83 F150 it has approximately 60,000 original miles on it. I have only run it this summer since I got the truck on the road and was running it with 10 W 30 and added seafoam to the oil to help clean it up inside seeing as the motor sat for a great number of years..What are you using as an additive if it is needed..
Thanks

 

Have you done a cylinder compression test? I'm not real big on additives but if it's got a lot of blowby or poor oil control, etc you might want to use a heavier weight oil, for example.

 

I was planning on doing another compression test on it to see if there was any improvement, the motor seems to run really well and has adequate power. I was just wondering because of the year of it and the amount of mileage if an additive was necessary

 

Use a good quality oil and filter. I wouldn't stress on it too much. Avoid short trips, make sure the thermostat is serviceable and the correct heat range. Recommend Motorcraft thermostat, probably 195°, whatever the book sez. Important engine reaches normal operating temperature quickly. Should be good to go.

 

I'm using a 195° thermostat and it heats up to normal temps fine, good oil pressure

 

Hm, if it sat for a long time might try some MMO in the fuel and oil. Good for stuck rings and lifters.

 

Can't seem to find any of that oil up here..

 

60000 miles on a 351W is not that many miles/km seeing as you are in Canada unless the engine lived a hard life. Think mine had and its a guess about 200000 miles on it before I rebuilt it. So add oil and run her.

 

Years ago when the ZDDP reduction occurred in the oils I spoke with Ron Eskenderian ng cams) specifically about this........ I add 1 bottle (9 oz IIRR) of ZDDP to my old school with each oil change (and about 1/3 of a bottle to my new stuff)

 

I use Marvel Mystery Oil for various things but I have to admit Seafoam is possibly the best oil additive for cleaning up an engine over the long run and doing no harm in the process. I would say do an oil change on it before next season (I'm thinking the Seafoam probably has dissolved a lot of crud and the oil might be getting black) and keep on using the 10W-30 and Seafoam. I would also be using a fuel stabilizer which is also a fuel system cleaner, like Sta-Bil 360 Marine for Ethanol Fuels. I use this in every gas engine I have from lawn mowers to cars and trucks and had been using the earlier forms of Sta-Bil for decades. It really keeps them running smooth and for the newer ones with catalytic converters, it keeps them sweet and clean. I mean religiously put it in every fill-up. My wife even can do it and brings me the empty bottle to replace. Her van is a Honda Odyssey with 'Variable Cylinder Management) which in some cases has caused oil control problems in the 'off' cylinders resulting in major engine work or replacement. We use Tier 1 fuel in that along with the Sta-Bil 360 and Mobil1 0W-20. Sweet and smooth at 36,000 miles and the engine has never used oil, got the oil dirty early or run rough. When it is turning cylinders off and on, you can't tell since there are no symptoms. Its one of those engines where you could possibly park and open the door to leave, forgetting to push the button to turn it off - its that smooth. Anytime I get to drive it, like on road trips, I'm always gassing it because its an engine that likes a heavy foot, and also because this helps keep the 'off' cylinders clean and 'blown-out'.

 

Who makes the ZDDP and who sells it in your area?

 

Lucas Oil 10063 Engine Break-In Oil Additive, order it from Amazon. Use it with every oil change on our rebuilt 1993 351w with a flat tappet cam