1966 Ford 352 V8 Oil

[jpstiles02]

I just got a project and am debating on what oil. As I understand ,that this truck was designed to run on leaded fuel, and that the lead actually provided lubrication for the valves?? I am doing an intake manifold gasket on it right now and will be having to do a couple oil changes back to back to remove any foreign bodies in the crankcase. So..... I love Rotella T6, use it in everything, but am open to suggestions. I see that walmart has T5 on sale. Any thoughts would be aprreciated.
Thanks in Advance

 

[qdeezie]

Regarding the leaded fuel design, you will have to get hardened valve seats installed in the heads for it to run on unleaded fuel since that's all that's available now.

 

[Chris142]

Those FE's were pretty hard on seats. I would assume that the hard seats have already been added.

I'd run 15w40 in it myself.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Those FE's were pretty hard on seats. I would assume that the hard seats have already been added.

I'd run 15w40 in it myself.


X2...

Stock FE weren't known for a abundance of oil pressure either, plus the oil to the main bearings is fed from the lifter galley, rather poor design...

 

[ag_ghost]

When it's time to rebuild, yes, be sure the seats are hardened; in the meantime, buy the highest octane fuel you can afford. Octane level is more important than lead content. If it pings, retarding the timing may help but it could also mean carbon on the piston tops raising the compression ratio.

Just enjoy it and move ahead with your cleaning plans. Ethanol drying up gaskets in the carb and fuel pump are bigger challenges if you don't drive it often.

My '63 390 FE has had stock '68 heads since 1971; lead was phased out in the mid-70s, so it has traveled most of the last hundred thousand miles on unleaded. I drove it across country last year and wouldn't hesitate to do it again, although I'd accelerate plans for a new clutch. With 15w40 HDEO, it's consumption is minimal, maybe 1/2 quart in 1000 miles.

Congrats on your new project.