What Oil Should I Be Using?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Originally Posted by Fordman400 4x4
cool. whats the oil capacity on a 400
The capacity of the transmission depends on what you did to it. If its bone dry, expect to put in about 21 quarts. If you dump the pan, expect to put in about 6. If you drain the torque converter, about 10-12.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Suggested brand is subjective, or buyer perference. Walmart carries Shell 10w-40 cheap.
Other brands are Delo, Mobil, Chevron, etc. I've used Shell oil for over 2,000,000 miles in one motor with no problems.
The weight would need to be adjusted to your area. (think temperatures.) 10w-40 seems to be the weight thats fits most users, most of the time. I would not advise going below 30w truck oil unless you are in Artic conditions, and if you are, you already know more about this stuff than I do!
Additional thought. Ether, aka starting fluid has a detremental effect on motor oil. It breaks it down very fast by removing the lubricity values. I'm not sure how nitrous would - if any - have an effect on motor oil.
What ain't burned off goes back to the oil pan.
Other brands are Delo, Mobil, Chevron, etc. I've used Shell oil for over 2,000,000 miles in one motor with no problems.
The weight would need to be adjusted to your area. (think temperatures.) 10w-40 seems to be the weight thats fits most users, most of the time. I would not advise going below 30w truck oil unless you are in Artic conditions, and if you are, you already know more about this stuff than I do!
Additional thought. Ether, aka starting fluid has a detremental effect on motor oil. It breaks it down very fast by removing the lubricity values. I'm not sure how nitrous would - if any - have an effect on motor oil.
What ain't burned off goes back to the oil pan.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
2,000,000 sounds like you have a big rig motor, kinda different from a gasser motor designed to last about 130K before it starts to fall on its face.
Using ether should be used very sparingly. If your (gas)engine wont start on just a brief 1-2 sec. whiff, you have other issues. One pass down the track on NO5 is like 2000 miles of wear from normal driving.
Using ether should be used very sparingly. If your (gas)engine wont start on just a brief 1-2 sec. whiff, you have other issues. One pass down the track on NO5 is like 2000 miles of wear from normal driving.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Northeast Nebraska
After getting a new cam from Comp Cams and reading the warning sheet that came with it suggesting I should use Rotella for the break in period and doing a little research online, Im planning on running Rotella on all my flat tappet motors! Any motor with roller lifters can use the other name brand oils including synthetics. The next motor I rebuild Im going to consider a roller cam to avoid this issue.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by Fordman400 4x4
cool. whats the oil capacity on a 400
Canadian's put in either 5 qt's or 6 litres with filter change.
FTE also has specific systmes forum for questions like this.
ie: Oil forum, 335 engine forum
The year of truck means nothing for this topic.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 606
Likes: 3
From: Colstrip, MT
Below is an e-mail reply from Quaker State, which is owned by Shell, stating that the new Class "SM" oils have had the ZPDD additive substantially reduced. There recommendation for older vehicles is listed below.
"The zinc and phosphorous levels were recently reduced (from the API SL levels) as there has been concerns that the oil that makes its way in to the combustion zone of your engine, carrying these anti-wear metals, were burning and poisoning the catalyst in the catalytic converters. If you are seeking higher zinc and phosphorous contents you may have to look to racing oil. We have a product that is called Pennzoil Racing Motor Oil and is available in SAE 50, 60 and 25W-50. It has approximately 1800-2000 ppm of zinc additive for extra wear protection. Other engine oils with comparable anti wear protection would include Shell Rotella T 15W-40 and Pennzoil Long Life 15W-40. Should you desire to speak with a technical representative to discuss this issue in more detail please call Pennzoil-Quaker State Technical Information at 1-800-458-4998."
Sincerely
Product Technical Service
"The zinc and phosphorous levels were recently reduced (from the API SL levels) as there has been concerns that the oil that makes its way in to the combustion zone of your engine, carrying these anti-wear metals, were burning and poisoning the catalyst in the catalytic converters. If you are seeking higher zinc and phosphorous contents you may have to look to racing oil. We have a product that is called Pennzoil Racing Motor Oil and is available in SAE 50, 60 and 25W-50. It has approximately 1800-2000 ppm of zinc additive for extra wear protection. Other engine oils with comparable anti wear protection would include Shell Rotella T 15W-40 and Pennzoil Long Life 15W-40. Should you desire to speak with a technical representative to discuss this issue in more detail please call Pennzoil-Quaker State Technical Information at 1-800-458-4998."
Sincerely
Product Technical Service
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Yuba City CA