Motor oil question...
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Motor oil question...
Well, I just got done dropping the freshed up 87 6.9 into my 84 F250. I did a complete gasket job on it, including head gaskets. When I had the motor apart (valve covers, oil pan, heads, etc) I thoroughly washed and cleaned it inside and out with kerosene. The rods and mains all felt nice and tight, the cylinder walls looked beautiful... hardly any ridge. I had the heads resurfaced, and installed new valve seals, the guides were still tight; when I reinstalled the heads I used the ARP head stud kit instead of standard head bolts. I am just a day or two from firing this beast up for the first time. Even though I got the inside of the motor nice and clean I would still like to run a "flush out" oil change through it before I really start putting this baby to work. Can I get away with running a cheaper oil through it, such as Super Tech 20w50? I am figuring on running it in there for a couple days and then change it back over to Shell Rotella. Would running a standard motor oil in my diesel engine hurt anything? Thanks in advance!
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Clarksburg WV
Actually, diesel oil is recommended for all engines during the first "break-in" period because of its zinc content.
If you want to run cheapo motor oil, pick up a zinc additive to put in the oil (several cam companies sell it, I think I got some stuff sold by Comp Cams through Summit Racing when I did my engine).
If you want to run cheapo motor oil, pick up a zinc additive to put in the oil (several cam companies sell it, I think I got some stuff sold by Comp Cams through Summit Racing when I did my engine).
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
That makes sense, I just want to make sure I don't put something in there that might hurt it. I'll have to check into the cheapo diesel oil, I hate to spend a lot of money on oil I don't plan on running in there for for a normal interval. Thanks again!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Around here, I think Rotella is around $9 or so from Wally World, by the time you drop additives in and such, might as well have started out with the good oil for the couple bucks more it is, not like it is a major difference in price. Cheap compared to engine troubles...
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
After a 4000 dollar rebuild I am running 28 dollar a gallon synthetic oil in mine.
So Rotella is cheap stuff in my book.
So Rotella is cheap stuff in my book.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Grunthal Manitoba Canada
If u look really close and and read the fine print, wal-mart and shell rotella T is the same oil. no difference. my dad drives long haul and i work on big rigs, and we looked into it for his truck and called and talked to wal-mart rep. the guy told us its just in a different barrel. i run shell rottela t in my 7.3 all year round.
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From: Brentwood,CA
If u look really close and and read the fine print, wal-mart and shell rotella T is the same oil. no difference. my dad drives long haul and i work on big rigs, and we looked into it for his truck and called and talked to wal-mart rep. the guy told us its just in a different barrel. i run shell rottela t in my 7.3 all year round.
I won't get into this , but for clarification thats not true. Check both API license numbers and MSDS sheets. SuperTech "Universal 15w40" is made by Warren Petrolum Products. Shell Rotella T is made by SOPUS.
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