neighbor of mine has 97 f150 4.6 and her husband has been pro long to the motor. I was wondering if I should even attempt to add anything to mine. My truck is 97 f150 4.6L 4x4 auto w/178000miles. Any input would be apreciated. i'm thinking adding something now would do damage and want this motor to last a while longer.

 

I have done a lot of research on oils and filters lately, and i have found if you use a high quality synthetic oil, and a synthetic bypass filter, its going to be as good as anything.
There are two MAIN things that make you have to change your oil...
One is filtration based, and one is additive package based.
The filter will clean all the suspended particles out of the oil, and a good full flow filter can clean down to 15 to 20 microns, and a bypass can clean down to 10 to 15 microns! All the bearing wear on an engine happens in the 15 to 20 micron rating.
The oil itsself has an additive package consisting of phosphates, detergents, and all kinds of stuff, What it basically does is keep the oil from oxidizing, keeps the particles suspended so they can get to the filters. The big thing they do is neutralize the acids that are formed when combustion gasses come in contact with the oil. These acids do damage even when the car isnt running!
As these things are used up, the oil wears out, and will need changine. These additives you are talking about take the place of the additives already in the oil, but no additive will take the place of regular maintinance!
Also i have learned about diesel oils... They arent restricted by the bounds of gasoline engine emissions! They have a larger amount of these additive packages, that oild like mobile 1 can not have. I personally use Valvoline premuim blue 5w 40 synthetic and a fleetguard bypass stratapore filter. I run my oil to 10,000 miles or so with no ill effects, and i also do regular oil samples. My last oil sample found a leaking injector that i had no idea was there!
i know were not supposed to send people off site, but this is a great wealth of info here... bobistheoilguy.com

 

Check out the oil forum further down, guys know there stuff. In general, DO NOT use those oil additives like pro-long or dualube, snake oil is all it is.

 

Yeah....you asid what i was trying to say...only simpler!!LOL!

 

prolong is the worst item you could find to use. it is a chlorine based product and is fatal to most engines. look over at BITOG on that stuff. prolong was sued by the feds and lost now they have gone under and are selling off their assests to pay the fine.

 

thanks xtrford my family for as long as i can remember never used any additives on any of our vehicles. I know our old astro van didn't burn oil the van was a 92 w/ 185000 when got rid of it.

 

Skilife, you said it. you've got 178,000 mi. oil+filter change=long life.
I have a '63 Mercury with a 260 V8. All it's ever had is oil changes, a timing chain, and I think 2 replacement carbs. Anybody that knows, knows back then, a car didn't last 70-75,000 miles before puking up the mains. This car's about to turn 150,000, (in the spring, when I get it out again!)