300 I6 oil question
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300 I6 oil question
Hi folks,
I just joined in hopes of learning a bunch more about the truck I inherited. It's a '92 F150 with 4.9L I6 and 170K miles. The engine is in excellent condition, strong, no leaks and does not burn oil.
I need to change the oil but am not sure which weight of oil would be best suited for this older engine? Since I inherited the truck, I am not sure what fluids it was fed before. It probably will only get driven a couple thousand miles a year and will probably have the oil changed once a year. I live in GA where neither the winters nor the summers are terribly extreme.
Also, what about filters. Is Motorcraft ok? Fram? Is Wix worth the higher price?
What thinks ye?
I just joined in hopes of learning a bunch more about the truck I inherited. It's a '92 F150 with 4.9L I6 and 170K miles. The engine is in excellent condition, strong, no leaks and does not burn oil.
I need to change the oil but am not sure which weight of oil would be best suited for this older engine? Since I inherited the truck, I am not sure what fluids it was fed before. It probably will only get driven a couple thousand miles a year and will probably have the oil changed once a year. I live in GA where neither the winters nor the summers are terribly extreme.
Also, what about filters. Is Motorcraft ok? Fram? Is Wix worth the higher price?
What thinks ye?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
I change mine once per year since it is driven very little except when I am home off the road for a few months. NAPA Gold (Wix) is a good filter. 10w-30 should be fine though I use 5w-30 due to the somewhat cold winter climate where I live.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 117
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From: Amarillo texas
yeah u live in amarillo, it doesnt get TO cold here. but we do get snow from time to time.
you dont have to go with fram if you dont want to, i use the house brand of Autozone, i go to and from work in my truck, then again im havin carb problems.
you dont have to go with fram if you dont want to, i use the house brand of Autozone, i go to and from work in my truck, then again im havin carb problems.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 563
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From: DeKalb, Ill.
Sorry in advance, this might get lengthy.
A couple of years ago, my buddy and his dad rebuilt a Model T.
Soon after they got it going, the motor seized.
They got in touch with the machine shop that had done the work immediately.
The machinist worked things out with my buddy.
He pointed out that after he had machined the motor,
he learned of zinc and phosphorus additives being removed from motor oils.
Luckily for all, they worked things out.
From what I have read, the above mentioned additives
are essential for old motors, especially the ones w/o roller lifters.
I have made my choice.
I would encourage people to do research before following my lead.
The oil I have chosen is pretty heavy, and may stress my oil pump.
I will continue my experiment, considering my truck is parked during the winter.
The oil I am running is Shell Rotella, 15 - 40.
It's rated for gas, and diesel engines.
This theory doesn't hold much weight but...
it is a BIG BLOCK SIX, isn't it?
Murph.
A couple of years ago, my buddy and his dad rebuilt a Model T.
Soon after they got it going, the motor seized.
They got in touch with the machine shop that had done the work immediately.
The machinist worked things out with my buddy.
He pointed out that after he had machined the motor,
he learned of zinc and phosphorus additives being removed from motor oils.
Luckily for all, they worked things out.
From what I have read, the above mentioned additives
are essential for old motors, especially the ones w/o roller lifters.
I have made my choice.
I would encourage people to do research before following my lead.
The oil I have chosen is pretty heavy, and may stress my oil pump.
I will continue my experiment, considering my truck is parked during the winter.
The oil I am running is Shell Rotella, 15 - 40.
It's rated for gas, and diesel engines.
This theory doesn't hold much weight but...
it is a BIG BLOCK SIX, isn't it?
Murph.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 1
From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
My vote is for Motorcraft, Purolator, or Wix/NAPA filters. I used Frams for years, but quit using them. I was using Castrol 5W-30, since it seemed to quiet down my ticking 2.9 (I know, different animal than the 4.9, but). I have recently changed over to using Amsoil (and hopefully not going to regret it on my older Ford). The 15W-40 'diesel' engine oil and a good filter will do your 300/4.9 sixer good, though. You may even see better performance and economy, even if the oil is thicker than the 5W-20/5W-30 OEM recommended grade.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
I got frustrated with wondering what was the best filter. I bought all the different filters I could find and cut them apart to see the materials used. NAPA Gold was made better than the others. Much more folded filter material, thicker shell with stronger construction and everything felt and looked better and I had never used this brand before. It changed my mind about the brands I had been buying for years.
Our motors need zinc and it seems that recently the automotive oils have eliminated zinc to extend the life of the converter. I would use 15w-40 diesel oil high in zink or an expensive synthetic (uses chemicals that act like zinc).
To back up what I have been reading on the internet, I stopped by the largest engine builder in my area and asked them what engine oil they recommended. The first thing they said was to use an oil that has a high zinc content or use a bottle of zinc additive if you use automotive oil. Just my opinion!!!
Our motors need zinc and it seems that recently the automotive oils have eliminated zinc to extend the life of the converter. I would use 15w-40 diesel oil high in zink or an expensive synthetic (uses chemicals that act like zinc).
To back up what I have been reading on the internet, I stopped by the largest engine builder in my area and asked them what engine oil they recommended. The first thing they said was to use an oil that has a high zinc content or use a bottle of zinc additive if you use automotive oil. Just my opinion!!!
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Postmaster
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From: raymond alberta
i use 10W-30 shell rotella diesel oil and wix filters...its worth it trust me...truck noticeably ran better with the diesel oil and it will keep that 6er alive for a long time to come the zink in diesel oils is very helpful to the I6 but will clog you catalytic converter faster
i used to change my oil every 7000KM which was about 2-3 months for me but im gonna drop it back to 5000KM now that the I6 has a health 338000KM under its belt and she still runs like a champ, starts and runs better then my 302 v8 that only has 238000KM and the I6 was beat on all its life the 302 was babied
i used to change my oil every 7000KM which was about 2-3 months for me but im gonna drop it back to 5000KM now that the I6 has a health 338000KM under its belt and she still runs like a champ, starts and runs better then my 302 v8 that only has 238000KM and the I6 was beat on all its life the 302 was babied
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What is the point of the zinc in the oil and if it's so important why do oil companies not put it in what's being sold in stores? I don't think I've ever seen any of these oils being recommended such as rotella. All I've seen for sale is basic automotive oil in various weights.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
Zinc fouls the Cat converters and has been replaced with other additives. Nothing fell off the edge of the world when lead was removed from gas. This thing about Zinc in the oil will eventually go the same way and be a non issue. JMO.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum70/
That is the Oil Forum where the oil wars and bloodletting takes place. Bob Is The Oil Guy (bitog.com) is another site for the same thing.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum70/
That is the Oil Forum where the oil wars and bloodletting takes place. Bob Is The Oil Guy (bitog.com) is another site for the same thing.
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So the purpose of the zinc is to foul the cats but now there are other additives to do that. Now I'm even more confused about all of this. I don't see a reason to add something that is only going to cause problems. All I was trying to figure out is what weight of oil this engine should get but it seems everyone has a different opinion about that. I guess plain old 10w30 is what it will get since nobody has given any reasoning to back up their recommendation.
Postmaster
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From: raymond alberta
play nice guys
zinc helps the cam lobes by cushioning them a bit, along with other things especially in older more worn out engines it can increase the life of your engine...i tell ya 80% diesel oil and 20% lucas additive will do nothing but good for your engine although i would not want to run lucas in the winter around here its thick, which is why it works, but too thick for winter
the purpose of the other additives is to not clog the cats...but you can remove them anywho
zinc helps the cam lobes by cushioning them a bit, along with other things especially in older more worn out engines it can increase the life of your engine...i tell ya 80% diesel oil and 20% lucas additive will do nothing but good for your engine although i would not want to run lucas in the winter around here its thick, which is why it works, but too thick for winter
the purpose of the other additives is to not clog the cats...but you can remove them anywho
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