What say you all? Looking for wisdom from the forum on what to run in my new-to-me ‘69 F250 (manual trans, diff and 360) as far as oil weights?

appreciate it!

 

You want a motor oil with a high zinc concentration (ZDDP). Modern oils don't have it due to emissions requirements. Motorcraft makes a 15W-40 diesel oil for Powerstrokes that is high in zinc, and is available at Walmart. Depends on what part of the country you are at, cold or warm.

 

For the trans make sure it is GL4 listed and not the GL5 you find now days.
Because of that I drained and filled my NP435 with Red Line MT90 oil.
It is the same oil in my Advance Adapter over drive unit.
In the rear good old w80-90 gear oil.
If you have LS then add a bottle of lube for it.

Motor oil I have been using O'Reilly's for high mileage 10-30 or 10-40.
Put 28K on it in 4 years with out any issues.
Dave ----

 

I just saw on Motor Trend a few hours ago that you only need zinc for flat tappet cams & rocker arms . Yes our trucks have rocker arms but , their answer referring to the rocker arms is vague to me .
Motorcraft has synthetic manual transmission fluid that is recommended
I have been reading 5w - 30 for Winter in cold climates , mayb not Arizona ,
Yes , I have heard the zinc thing from people , but I think the need has been exaggerated over the years because someone saw a dragster use it for a flat tappet cam & then oh , it must be good for my car/truck . Then companies push people to push this idea in exchange for free stuff sent to them !
The more I learn from Hot-Rod , Motor Trend , Professional hot-rodders there is countless myths & HALF-TRUTHS from manufactures to sell products !!! MARKETING , MARKETING , MARKETING , PROFESSIONAL SALESMAN .
There is certainly more to the story & I will stop for now .
I AM as guilty as anybody for falling bigger is better , or buying stuff I DO NOT REALLY NEED , but I must need it because they , SAY I DO . They use it in drag cars or the commercial says I do . Commercials are the LAIRS !!!, Hot-Rod , Motor Trend usually debunks/test these questionable companies !!!
Yes Hot-Rod is guilty of this practice at times but I feel mainly they give TRUE facts that are reliable and back up there opinions !!! They do promote sponsored/non-sponsored companies , and their products . For the most part though they test their information and pass it along because they truly care about us and our trucks & cars........ They constantly test myths & products
This is why they have been trusted since the 1940's and today !!!.......ha...
Anyway , hope you THINK fairly & with give some time about my rants , because I have learned a lot , this is how I found this AMAZING SITE & mostly great mechanics and GOOD people !!!...ha...

 

My newbie is showing in my last post !!! I did not realize F100's have flat tappet cams, . I was thinking zinc was recommended for the benefit for the pistons and crank mainly, not cam & rocker !!! So , now I know the zinc myth is true , I guess,
I still stand by the post , because do we really know EXACTLY how much of a benefit & NEED zinc is for a old Ford ???,
May just be good marketing !!!
I will be going with hydrollic roller cam is one reason I am flat tappet handicapped ,

 

Yes on the zinc. There are oils available for older engines...like Valvoline 10W30 VR1 racing oil which contain the zinc additive to protect the flat tappet cam. It's not a myth, it is the best choice for flat tappets. Though you'll likely get by with modern oil I don't believe the cost difference is significant so I'd go for the correct oil.

In my NP435, I use a 50 weight motor oil without the zinc additive which can degrade the brass bits in the tranny.

And for the rear, good ol' 80ish - 90ish gear oil. Use the additive if you have the limited slip clutches.

 

Motorcraft has a synthetic manual transmission oil that is highly impressive according to its label !!!
Label was created with lots of advice from Motorcraft's highly paid marketing team ,
It is high dollar...........of course
Label convinced me to buy it.......... ha...........