266 International Engine - What Oil?

[Greg L]

A couple of months ago, I posted an inquiry about my son's 1979 Chevy dualie truck, with a 454. He has since sold that truck (too costly on gas) and bought a 1973 International 1210 Truck, with a 266 V-8 Engine.

Questions:

1. Neither he or I are familiar with this motor. Since no manual came with the truck, what oil should he be using? (I told him to flush & change all fluids on the truck).

2. There is a lifter 'tick' noise coming from the passenger side valve cover. He put in some MMO yesterday, but it is still making noise.


This truck is local (now 3rd owner) and has 139k original miles on the motor. No major leaks that I could see, quiet, and still holds good compression. No smoking either.


Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!


GL

 

[RF Overlord]

I'd be willing to bet that motor sped'd basic 10w30.

As for the lifter tick, not even the revered MMO will work THAT fast...give it a little time.

 

[askani79705]

I had a Scout when I was younger and I believe RF Overlord is correct that it was 10w30.

 

[Astro14]

I would venture to bet that engine spec'd either a 10W30 or a 10W40...personally, I would get an HDEO, like a 15W40 in summer, or a 10W30 in winter. I wouldn't spend a ton of $$ on oil, anything you get off the shelf now is far, far better than the SD or SF oil that was available at the time...

As for the lifter tick? Make certain it's not a exhaust manifold leak...one cylinder leaking sounds a lot like a lifter tick...

 

[JR]

Any ol oil is good. My grampa was a huge ih scout fan. He used 20w50 in summer. 10w40 in the winter. Had one that was a parts bin had 250k on it.

Ken

 

[UNC017]

Its a real Harvester engine... you could whizz in the crankcase and it would keep running.

I agree that it was almost certainly originally spec'd for 10w30 or 10w40, so an HDEO in anything from 5w30 to 15w40 should be a good pick. I'd personally use RT6 5w40- I'm sold on it as a safe and reliable back-fit oil for almost all older American v8s.

 

[Chris142]

I had a scout with one of those. could not get parts for it! Nobody makes pistons mine broke a piston. 3:04 is a direct replacement.

International Harvester recommended straight 30 or 40 in those. they tend to wipeout cams and cam bearings . these are two very common failures on the Scout boards. I would not use anything less than a 15w 40 In it. When the cam bearings go bad the rear one will spin and cuts of the oil supply to the rocker arms

I ran 20w50 in mine for over 300,000 miles without a problem

 

[Chris142]

Oh btw. These wont get any better mpg than the 454 did.... when doing a tune up check the timing on number 8 plug wire not the number one like every other engine made. It will say time engine on number 8 cylinder on the valve covers. the carburetor if its original should be a 2300 Holly two barrel of 275 cfm. A 350 cfm 2 bbl holley is a great upgrade. They don't like to rev either. 3800 is your maximum safe rpm

 

[67lemans]

I had a 77 Scout with a 345. Ran HDEO in either 15w40 or 10W30.
If you haven't already, I strongly recommend that you check out binder planet.

 

[05LGTLtd]

My first "car" was a Scout II. Pretty sure I ran 10w-40 year round. I don't think I ever got over 10mpg.. usually closer to 8mpg. Was working for minimum wage part time and the lion's share of my check went to fueling that scout. I used to get a kick of going to the tractor place for a car part!