The vehicle I'm referring to is in my autosig, and my assumption is that the engine is very easy on oil. This assumption is from what I've seen since owning it and how long these engines have been around, but is this a correct assumption? It's really just something that popped into my head as of late. Are there any Ford owners that have input?
Are Small Block Fords "Easy" or "Hard" on oil?
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Does yours have any consumption problems or oil pressure issues?
we had a few mid "80's" back in the day that were horrible for using oil and always low OP.
we had a few mid "80's" back in the day that were horrible for using oil and always low OP.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
They are easy on oil generally speaking. I also find they like 40-weight oils. 0w40/5w40.
I don't have any oil consumption or leaks. When I first bought the truck, it had sludge out the yinyang (I wish I had pictures), oil pressure problems as a result of the sludge and leaks out the yinyang. I fixed all of that and it doesn't leak anymore or consume any oil from what I see and it seems to be doing ok, but I was just wondering if anyone that has seen UOAs or have dealt with SBFs for a decade or two may have any sort of insight regarding what works best. Coincidentially, right now I'm running Rotella T-6 5w-40 in it. I was thinking about M1 0w-40 next time I see it on sale.
I've driven Windsors (289, 302, 351) in cars since the late 70s and have only seen one that has been *tough* on oil. In 05 I bought an 81 LTD with a 302 that had sat in a barn for 5 years. It was a sludge monster - had a shop clean it up and they pulled more than a gallon of sludge from the pan and valve covers. It now has an 88 351W under the hood.
Other than that extreme case, never had a problem with Windsors.
Other than that extreme case, never had a problem with Windsors.
I had a 91 F150 with a 302 that went 130k mi before I traded it in for a 99 F250 SD V10. It remained a strong and happy motor with a variety of 5w and 10w30s. Regular changes were at about 3k miles.
I had done no UAOs on it so could say what was going on in it, but ran great until I got rid of it. Never seemed hard on oil to me.
I had done no UAOs on it so could say what was going on in it, but ran great until I got rid of it. Never seemed hard on oil to me.
I have a 93 302 in my F150 and it loves 10W30 in the summer and 5W30 in the Winter. Very easy on oil in my experience.
I have owned several SBF's in my day and all did very well on 10w30 year round. This was while I lived in Texas.
Been running dino/semi 10w30 in the carb'ed 460 F250 for years. Whatever was on sale: Havoline @ $0.49, Chevron & Union 76 Super @ $0.99, etc. (Ah, those were the days... Still have a case of Havoline.)
Never a problem. Clean as a whistle.
If it's good enough for these Ford monsters, using it in a Ford smallblock is no worry at all. Just change it regularly, depending upon your application.
Cheers!
Never a problem. Clean as a whistle.
If it's good enough for these Ford monsters, using it in a Ford smallblock is no worry at all. Just change it regularly, depending upon your application.
Cheers!
It seems to me that the biggest problem with older engines is the poor emissions control that leads to the oil getting dirty more quickly. That's the only thing I would consider for an engine like this.
Just to add to this, my dad had a 1967 Mustang with a 289 from 1970-1978.
While the body rotted away to nothing, my mom has commented that they never had any problems with the engine in the 8 years they had it - ran like a top right to about 150k miles.
No idea what was actually used in it, but I'd imagine it was a basic 10w30 of the day, changed every 3-4k miles. Seem to be very reliable engines.
While the body rotted away to nothing, my mom has commented that they never had any problems with the engine in the 8 years they had it - ran like a top right to about 150k miles.
No idea what was actually used in it, but I'd imagine it was a basic 10w30 of the day, changed every 3-4k miles. Seem to be very reliable engines.
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
I've owned them and never had oil burning issues, they were reliable engines. I changed stems seals on a few of them for friends and resolved oil use issues. All in all they were very good engines IMO.
I'm not aware of any general 'issue' with older Fords.
Couple of older Mustangs and my Maverick 302 Grabber were as reliable and long lived as any ordinary V8 from anyone.
Couple of older Mustangs and my Maverick 302 Grabber were as reliable and long lived as any ordinary V8 from anyone.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Maybe you had a good one, since ford had a recall on them for this. Every, and I mean every ford except for my current 2000 4.2 v6 has burnt oil at start up. With less then 100k on them in most cases. These engine always had the oil changed at 3k and never had any other treatment then the chevys in the house hold. Ford just cant design a cylinder head IMO. And no I dont hate fords, I'm simply stating a fact.
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Maybe you had a good one, since ford had a recall on them for this. Every, and I mean every ford except for my current 2000 4.2 v6 has burnt oil at start up. With less then 100k on them in most cases. These engine always had the oil changed at 3k and never had any other treatment then the chevys in the house hold. Ford just cant design a cylinder head IMO. And no I dont hate fords, I'm simply stating a fact.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Maybe you had a good one, since ford had a recall on them for this. Every, and I mean every ford except for my current 2000 4.2 v6 has burnt oil at start up. With less then 100k on them in most cases. These engine always had the oil changed at 3k and never had any other treatment then the chevys in the house hold. Ford just cant design a cylinder head IMO. And no I dont hate fords, I'm simply stating a fact.
Good one? How many 5.0L's do you see in my sig? More than one right? My boat has a 302. I've wrenched on a LOT of 302's. I've never seen this issue.
Got a link for the recall?
As I said, I KNOW the first-gen Modulars had valve guide seal issues. But I've never heard that about the Windsor engines. And being a member of the Mustang community and numerous Mustang forums, if it was common.... I'm sure I would have heard about it. But I have not. Nor have I seen it.
And BTW, what does a valve guide seal issue have to do with designing a cylinder head? That's some rather convoluted logic. A seal is a component. And if you source a faulty component, how does that make the design of the entire item defective?
Because GM had intake gasket issues, does that mean they can't design an engine?
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Maybe you had a good one, since ford had a recall on them for this. Every, and I mean every ford except for my current 2000 4.2 v6 has burnt oil at start up. With less then 100k on them in most cases. These engine always had the oil changed at 3k and never had any other treatment then the chevys in the house hold. Ford just cant design a cylinder head IMO. And no I dont hate fords, I'm simply stating a fact.
Good one? How many 5.0L's do you see in my sig? More than one right? My boat has a 302. I've wrenched on a LOT of 302's. I've never seen this issue.
Got a link for the recall?
As I said, I KNOW the first-gen Modulars had valve guide seal issues. But I've never heard that about the Windsor engines. And being a member of the Mustang community and numerous Mustang forums, if it was common.... I'm sure I would have heard about it. But I have not. Nor have I seen it.
And BTW, what does a valve guide seal issue have to do with designing a cylinder head? That's some rather convoluted logic. A seal is a component. And if you source a faulty component, how does that make the design of the entire item defective?
Because GM had intake gasket issues, does that mean they can't design an engine?
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
The 4.6 had valve seal issues up to and including 1995. My 96 Merc 4.6 had 218K and never had a valve seal problem as Ford re designed them.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
The 4.6 had valve seal issues up to and including 1995. My 96 Merc 4.6 had 218K and never had a valve seal problem as Ford re designed them.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Good one? How many 5.0L's do you see in my sig? More than one right? My boat has a 302. I've wrenched on a LOT of 302's. I've never seen this issue.
Got a link for the recall?
As I said, I KNOW the first-gen Modulars had valve guide seal issues. But I've never heard that about the Windsor engines. And being a member of the Mustang community and numerous Mustang forums, if it was common.... I'm sure I would have heard about it. But I have not. Nor have I seen it.
And BTW, what does a valve guide seal issue have to do with designing a cylinder head? That's some rather convoluted logic. A seal is a component. And if you source a faulty component, how does that make the design of the entire item defective?
Because GM had intake gasket issues, does that mean they can't design an engine?
I agree. I've owned or worked on most Ford engines produced since the 60's. I've seen engines with about 100K-150K miles or more that needed valve seals replaced. But echoing what Overkill said - just because a valve seal wears out doesn't mean " . . . Ford just cant design a cylinder head."
Like was mentioned the Modulars in the early 90's had bad seals. A buddy has a LTC with the 4.6 - IIRC it's a 93. He just replaced the valve seals at around 180K miles. He was using about one quart of oil every 700 miles, now he doesn't use a quart between oil changes - about 4k-5K miles!
I've never heard of Ford recalling the Modular engines either at least not for valve seals. They had the intake manifold problems.
http://www.crownvic.net/news/intake.shtml
Neither of the Fords in my signature use any oil to speak of. The Aerostar (4.0 V6 - yes I realize that is not a SBF but it's still a Ford engine) has over 200K miles and uses about 1/3 of a quart every 5K miles - nothing on the engine has ever been replaced. The Mercury uses even less than the Aerostar in 5K oil changes.
Good one? How many 5.0L's do you see in my sig? More than one right? My boat has a 302. I've wrenched on a LOT of 302's. I've never seen this issue.
Got a link for the recall?
As I said, I KNOW the first-gen Modulars had valve guide seal issues. But I've never heard that about the Windsor engines. And being a member of the Mustang community and numerous Mustang forums, if it was common.... I'm sure I would have heard about it. But I have not. Nor have I seen it.
And BTW, what does a valve guide seal issue have to do with designing a cylinder head? That's some rather convoluted logic. A seal is a component. And if you source a faulty component, how does that make the design of the entire item defective?
Because GM had intake gasket issues, does that mean they can't design an engine?
I agree. I've owned or worked on most Ford engines produced since the 60's. I've seen engines with about 100K-150K miles or more that needed valve seals replaced. But echoing what Overkill said - just because a valve seal wears out doesn't mean " . . . Ford just cant design a cylinder head."
Like was mentioned the Modulars in the early 90's had bad seals. A buddy has a LTC with the 4.6 - IIRC it's a 93. He just replaced the valve seals at around 180K miles. He was using about one quart of oil every 700 miles, now he doesn't use a quart between oil changes - about 4k-5K miles!
I've never heard of Ford recalling the Modular engines either at least not for valve seals. They had the intake manifold problems.
http://www.crownvic.net/news/intake.shtml
Neither of the Fords in my signature use any oil to speak of. The Aerostar (4.0 V6 - yes I realize that is not a SBF but it's still a Ford engine) has over 200K miles and uses about 1/3 of a quart every 5K miles - nothing on the engine has ever been replaced. The Mercury uses even less than the Aerostar in 5K oil changes.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Maybe you had a good one, since ford had a recall on them for this. Every, and I mean every ford except for my current 2000 4.2 v6 has burnt oil at start up. With less then 100k on them in most cases. These engine always had the oil changed at 3k and never had any other treatment then the chevys in the house hold. Ford just cant design a cylinder head IMO. And no I dont hate fords, I'm simply stating a fact.
Good one? How many 5.0L's do you see in my sig? More than one right? My boat has a 302. I've wrenched on a LOT of 302's. I've never seen this issue.
Got a link for the recall?
As I said, I KNOW the first-gen Modulars had valve guide seal issues. But I've never heard that about the Windsor engines. And being a member of the Mustang community and numerous Mustang forums, if it was common.... I'm sure I would have heard about it. But I have not. Nor have I seen it.
And BTW, what does a valve guide seal issue have to do with designing a cylinder head? That's some rather convoluted logic. A seal is a component. And if you source a faulty component, how does that make the design of the entire item defective?
Because GM had intake gasket issues, does that mean they can't design an engine?
I didnt saw a word about mod motors did I. Your right, valve seals are componets that fail, but cylinder heads arent?
Since you want too bring Mod motors up why not look at there cylinder heads. The 2v was a nice working head, but goodness why are the plugs held in with maybe 5 threads. The 3v even better, I mean the 4.6 made 300hp. To bad that because of there design there spark plugs wouldnt come out in one piece. But wait thats a compontent. [censored] I maybe wrong on the vavle guide thing. I mean its been 23 years since I took it in. Yes I bought the truck new in december 88 and it burnt oil when I drove it off the lot. As far as mod motors burning oil, yes thats true, both my 5.4 and my v10 burn oil. One has 102k and the other 80k, will I stop buying Ford products because of it? Probly not, considering I still "need" a Raptor. But thats a few years off so I know what I'm buying (heard horror storys of there 6 speeds already)
And,if you where refering too my little 4.2 as a mod motor your way off, the 4.2 is a Essex.
I've never heard of gm intake gasket issues my self, but I have heard of there junk vortec plastic intake runners, which yep, thats a design flaw right there.
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Genrally speaking your truck has most likly had a valve job if it doesnt burn any oil. Ford had a problem with there valve seals back in the 80s which went on till the 90s. The trucks would burn up too a few quirts every 3k.
My 89 150 had the problem but Ford wouldnt fix it, since it was only less then there 800 miles a quirt recall. It was very common on the 302 and 351.
Neither of my 302's ever had a valve job, and don't burn oil. The common cause of burning oil in the HO 302 was the PCV screen, which plugs up. That screen doesn't exist on the trucks. I've never seen this as an issue on ANY of the 302's I've owned or worked on. And that is quite a few of them.
Valve seals were a common issue on the first few years of the 4.6L Modular however.
Maybe you had a good one, since ford had a recall on them for this. Every, and I mean every ford except for my current 2000 4.2 v6 has burnt oil at start up. With less then 100k on them in most cases. These engine always had the oil changed at 3k and never had any other treatment then the chevys in the house hold. Ford just cant design a cylinder head IMO. And no I dont hate fords, I'm simply stating a fact.
Good one? How many 5.0L's do you see in my sig? More than one right? My boat has a 302. I've wrenched on a LOT of 302's. I've never seen this issue.
Got a link for the recall?
As I said, I KNOW the first-gen Modulars had valve guide seal issues. But I've never heard that about the Windsor engines. And being a member of the Mustang community and numerous Mustang forums, if it was common.... I'm sure I would have heard about it. But I have not. Nor have I seen it.
And BTW, what does a valve guide seal issue have to do with designing a cylinder head? That's some rather convoluted logic. A seal is a component. And if you source a faulty component, how does that make the design of the entire item defective?
Because GM had intake gasket issues, does that mean they can't design an engine?
I didnt saw a word about mod motors did I. Your right, valve seals are componets that fail, but cylinder heads arent?
Since you want too bring Mod motors up why not look at there cylinder heads. The 2v was a nice working head, but goodness why are the plugs held in with maybe 5 threads. The 3v even better, I mean the 4.6 made 300hp. To bad that because of there design there spark plugs wouldnt come out in one piece. But wait thats a compontent. [censored] I maybe wrong on the vavle guide thing. I mean its been 23 years since I took it in. Yes I bought the truck new in december 88 and it burnt oil when I drove it off the lot. As far as mod motors burning oil, yes thats true, both my 5.4 and my v10 burn oil. One has 102k and the other 80k, will I stop buying Ford products because of it? Probly not, considering I still "need" a Raptor. But thats a few years off so I know what I'm buying (heard horror storys of there 6 speeds already)
And,if you where refering too my little 4.2 as a mod motor your way off, the 4.2 is a Essex.
I've never heard of gm intake gasket issues my self, but I have heard of there junk vortec plastic intake runners, which yep, thats a design flaw right there.
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