Oil change in the V8

[Zap]

Okay, well I've officially had the '97 long enough that it will be needing an oil change soon. The previous owner didn't do his own, but the place where he took it didn't offer a standard oil anymore, so it currently uses (and was previously run with) part synthetic. I believe it has a Kendall sticker with the mileage.

What do the experts suggest running in the V8? Both with respect to brand, none/part/full synthetic, change intervals, etc? I know there were a lot of varied opinions with respect to oil in the V6.

Another interesting fact that he mentioned is that the oil always looked good throughout its life cycle (on account of him running BP Amoco gas?). I always filled up the SHOs with Shell, but I figured I would see what happened if I ran it with Amoco. Sure enough, the last time I checked the oil it was still somewhat clear, and definitely not black. Any thoughts?

Also, my understanding is that the oil filter is the same FL-400S type. Any other caveats or friendly suggestions for changing the oil on this engine?

Thanks!

 

[NebraskaSHO]

I had to make this for class in college, so it has chincy music (required), narration (required), partner (required), and had to be 5 minutes.

[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bv3oqu4IA7c&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bv3oqu4IA7c&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

Lol... my wood blocks had nails in the ends of them, whoops! Forgot about that.

6.5 quarts of good synthetic oil if you use a factory sized oil filter. You can use a larger one to get up to 7 quarts of oil. IIRC It's a Motorcraft FL401 or FL-1A?

Mobil1 factory sized oil filter is a M1-209

For the love of god do not use Pennzoil.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Motorcraft filter and motorcraft oil. good and cheap.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

I agree, Motorcraft oil seems to be pretty good. Synthetic 5w-30 is what you need.

 

[KickerBeast]

I always run Castrol regular oil. After 4,000 miles you can pull the stick and still see right through it. As for the filter, it's a FL-400

 

[SuperHO]

i always run motorcraft oil and filter, but i use an FL-1A filter for the added capacity.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Motorcraft is one of the better oils out there. It continuously gets good results on UOAs and it is cheap. Why people spend more on marketing for more expensive oils and use the same change interval is beyond me.

 

[Zap]

Thanks for all of the tips - I'm curious to see what filter is presently installed. So is everyone using the Full Synthetic, High Mileage Synthetic Blend, or Standard Synthetic Blend? What change intervals are you using as well?

Also, for that matter does anyone run the Motorcraft full/part synthetic in the V6 engine? We've always run Castrol GTX in the V6's, or occasionally Motorcraft.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Personally, I run motorcraft filter and Synthetic blend in my 08 F150, 95 SHO and ran that in my 97 SHO as well. Change all at about 5K miles.

FWIW, as long as you use a quality oil and filter and change regularly, you are fine. Too much thought goes into oil by too many people. Majority of those who must run the most expensive stuff they can find because it is used by NASCAR never see any faster than the occasional short jaunt to 100MPH on the interstate and don't give the abuse to their car that a NASCAR vehicle sees.

 

[rubydist]

The key to the whole oil question, imho, is to pick one brand of good quality oil and stick with it. The various manufacturers of oil use differing additives, some of which don't like each other, so when you change from one brand to another is the highest risk of lubrication failure, etc.

I personally run Mobil 1 (but there are plenty of other good oils out there) and do oci never less than 5000 and usually closer to 10,000 miles. I use either Motorcraft or Mobil 1 filters, never Fram. If your ambient ever gets below 30F or above 95F, then synthetics are the only way to go, imho.

 

[SHO1]

That's the way I like to do it. Figure out what I want to use for a particular vehicle and use the same all the time if at all possible.

 

[Izzmo]

Well.. whatever you do, don't use Penzoil. That oil only lasted me 3k before I had to change it out because it was already black as tar.

I know a lot of people say that, but it's just plain fact: it sucks.

 

[stephen newberg]

Well, since it is one of the jobs of the oil to grab up those contaminents that are in the motor and drop the bigger ones in the filter, the oil getting dirty quickly is not really a comment on the oil quality, but more on things going on in the engine.

pax, smn

 

[Phoenix]

Well.. whatever you do, don't use Penzoil. That oil only lasted me 3k before I had to change it out because it was already black as tar.

I know a lot of people say that, but it's just plain fact: it sucks.

Same , its the worst crap evar.

 

[Zap]

Yeah, I've heard all the comments long ago regarding Pennzoil and the V6 and always have used Castrol GTX there. I think I'm going to use the Motorcraft in the V8 as I always viewed that as another decent oil.

 

[Izzmo]

Well, since it is one of the jobs of the oil to grab up those contaminents that are in the motor and drop the bigger ones in the filter, the oil getting dirty quickly is not really a comment on the oil quality, but more on things going on in the engine.

pax, smn

Good point.

 

[SHO1]

Well, since it is one of the jobs of the oil to grab up those contaminents that are in the motor and drop the bigger ones in the filter, the oil getting dirty quickly is not really a comment on the oil quality, but more on things going on in the engine.pax, smn

....Which has alot to do with the driving style and driving environment, which has alot to do with helping decide how dirty it gets and how quickly.

 

[jpeck2]

I use Shell oil... its clear as a crystal when i put it in, and its still clear as a crystal when I change it... I got almost 165k on my v8 right now

 

[bacernate]

I've been using motorcraft blend 5w30. 4k intervals and the oil is as clean as a whistle when I change it. Actually it's not much more than regulat oil at wally world. 2.99 a qt. Use a quality filter and about anything other than quaker shit or penzmud.
Valvoline has been my choice for years but Kendall blend is a very good oil also, the only problem with Kendall is it's usually used by auto shops and it's hard to find.

 

[sho_ted]

the color of the used means nothing. an oil with additives that leaves the deposits on surfaces will be super clean