Oil change... rewmove the filter before or after draining the oil?

[wood_e]

Title says it all. I have had better luck with some cars by removing the filter before draining the oil. I just am not sure which way is better on the SHO.

Thanks in advance!

Also how many quarts of oil does the SHO take?

<small>[ July 12, 2003, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: wood_e ]</small>

 

[Ishodu]

I don't' think it matters what one you do first, I usually take out the plug and while its draining make up a deflector out of a washer fluid jug or something to keep the oil off the starter then take the filter off. And start checking other fluid levels and the air filter and what not then, install the new filter. By that time the oil usually has stopped dripping from the drain.

 

[pete c]

don't really know that it matters. I generally drain the pan first since doing the filter can be messy and you don't wanna be laying under there catching oil dripping from the starter which tends to get gummed up by the oil that leaks from the filter change.

Also, many here, myself included use the FL-1 filter. It is larger than the stock one which should mean better oil flow. It fits just fine. It is the filter used by the 5.0 v-8.

BTW, what earl are you using? Castrol 5-30, maybe 10-30 in the summer seems quite popular. Just don't use Penzoil or quaker state or you shall be ridiculed mercilessly on this site. The synthetic are IMHO, a waste of money since you really shouldn't leave them in for as long as they claim to be.

I have come to this wealth of knowledge the same way everybody else here does, by following sdpatt's example. His SHO is not too far from 300K.

 

[projectSHO89]

Just don't use Penzoil or quaker state or you shall be ridiculed mercilessly on this site.

Oh, bs ! Only by those who nothing about the science and the qualities of lubricants. Seems to plenty of those around.. Ignorance is bliss for many. Go visit bobistheoilguy's site for a more objective opinion. You'll fine the opinions expressed here about the "favorite" and the "junk" are quite the opposites.

Here's a tip for keeping that starter motor a little cleaner. Take a two-liter soda bottle, cut the bottom off it at an angle, then stuff it up there around the filter to catch most of the oil. Just make sure the cap is still on the bottle.

Steve

<small>[ July 12, 2003, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[TYSHO]

This oil crap needs to come to stop. jpshakeh I personally use Castrol GTX and am changing the oil today and trying out the cheaper Motorcraft oil. The main concern is to change your oil at the correct intervals, if not before the 3k. One of my SHO's previous owners went to the quick lubes all the time from new ownership and has always put Pennzoil and occasions, Valvoline. When I opened the valve covers up when I got it at 124.5k, they were not as dark as sdpatt's post of Pennzoil, but not like his GTX use. It was between and the cams are worn like ****, being the factor he changed the sh*t every 4-5k miles and lied to me saying he changed the oil every 3k on the dot which he changed after I purchased the car to say more like every 4.5k. Also the valve adjustment was 'never' performed on the car, so that might be some reasoning too. squint

 

[wood_e]

Thanks for the replies. I got a motocraft FL-1A filter at walmart and a 5 quart jug of 10W30 castrol high mileage.

How many quarts does the SHO take? I would assume 5 but I don't want to be wrong... shrug

 

[Shoaz]

I'd highly recommend that you get a Chilton's manual for your car at your local Autozone, Checker, Pep Boys, or whatever you have in your area. They're not too expensive and it'll probably save you a ton of money if you're going to do your own maintenance, even just oil changes, coolant change, etc. It also has tables with all of the fluid capacities, etc.

The manual for the normal Taurus also has the SHO info.

This is one of the nice things about this car being based on an extremely popular base platform: it's pretty easy to find these sorts of manuals, basic parts, etc.

 

[wood_e]

I ordered chilton off ebay yesterday

 

[projectSHO89]

The Chilton's will definitely help out, but it's sometimes a bit light on SHO-specific detail.

When you run into that, give us a shout and someone with the factory helms can look it up.

BTW, the official Ford recommendation is now 5W-30 for all SHO engines, regardless of climate.

Steve

 

[AutoSHO]

wood_e:
How many quarts does the SHO take? I would assume 5 but I don't want to be wrong... shrug

With the larger FL-1A filter it takes a full 6 quarts. With the standard filter it takes ~5.5 quarts.

 

[SHOZ123]

If you have the time I have found this procedure works good to minimize the starter drenching.

Drain the oil pan while the oil is hot. Let the system drain for 4 hours or more. Then take the oil filter off. This reduces what spills on the starter.

 

[shojuan]

SHOZ123:
Drain the oil pan while the oil is hot. Let the system drain for 4 hours or more. Then take the oil filter off. This reduces what spills on the starter.

Only problem with that is you risk the pump losing its prime letting it drain that long. Just something to be aware of. If the pump does lose its prime the first trick to try is removing the new oil filter, fill it with oil, then reinstall.

 

[HopefulSHO]

I fill the oil filter up as much as resonably possible before installing it. Helps alot with that intial dry start.
My car also takes 5.5 quarts to fill it to the full line w/ a FL-1A filter.

 

[rendyx]

I always add a good amount of oil to the filter. I tried not filling it completely once, and it appeared to take longer to build oil pressure. Could just be because it's a different SHO

I am not a fan of QS or Pennzoilbecause of what I have heard on the forum from others. However, I would much rather use it than the El-Cheapo oil for 50 cents a quart. I used Castrol GTX 10w-30 in my 89. In my 91, I use Mobil-1 10w-30. I always invest in the Mobil M1-301 filter too, as it seems to have excellent filtering properties. I do not skimp on my SHO's oil.

As for the starter, I have found that shoving a bag over it usually works the best. I have tried newspaper, but it is more difficult to shove back further. A plastic grocery bag has always caught all the oil for me.

 

[Blue-By-U]

I use a plastic bag to cover the starter and the original motorcraft oil filter. Maybe I should start using the FL-1A shrug I've always used Castrol GTX 10w-30 in my SHOs and will never change. Ask all the top SHO people around and see what they say about oil preference. Also, do a search and see what comes up since this topic has been brought up many times.

 

[wood_e]

I got it all done sunday. My drain pan had a hole in it, otherwise it was easy. The hardest thing was getting the FL-1A filter up into the housing. There were many things in the way, but it fit just fine.

Thanks for all the help