best oil for Ford SOHC 4.6??

Bror Jace · Jan 13, 2004

10W30 tends to be more shear stable ... but this varies between types and brands of oil.

The generalization is the less of a spread between the 2 numbers, the less (relatively unstable) polymer viscosity index improver needed in the formula.

If you don't need the cold-pumpability of the 5W30, a 10W30 should be fine.

--- Bror Jace

MNgopher · Jan 14, 2004

mf - that's fine, its worked for you. No arguement there. FWIW, my '97 had a compression test done by the new owners mechanic prior to hime purchasing the truck. At 163,000 miles, it was as good as new. That was running Valvoline Durablend 5w30 nearly its entire life. That worked for me too !

As far as the darkness of the new Chevron and Havoline formulations, it did catch people off guard. There were several threads on the subject about the time the new formulation hit the market. Chevron even had a notice sent out to distributors telling them it was dark and it was not an error or problem.

Really, as far as choosing a 10w30 or 5w30, I'd still pick the 5w30. I recognize the theoretical benefits of using an oil with less Viscosity spread to cover, but with Mobil 1 there doesn't seem to be much of a problem with the supersyn shearing (the Tri-syn did have a problem in this area). In that case, the slight edge in cold start protection offered by a 5w30 vs a 10w30 would lead me to use the 5w30.

mf150 · Jan 14, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by MNgopher:
mf - that's fine, its worked for you. No arguement there. FWIW, my '97 had a compression test done by the new owners mechanic prior to hime purchasing the truck. At 163,000 miles, it was as good as new. That was running Valvoline Durablend 5w30 nearly its entire life. That worked for me too !

As far as the darkness of the new Chevron and Havoline formulations, it did catch people off guard. There were several threads on the subject about the time the new formulation hit the market. Chevron even had a notice sent out to distributors telling them it was dark and it was not an error or problem.

Really, as far as choosing a 10w30 or 5w30, I'd still pick the 5w30. I recognize the theoretical benefits of using an oil with less Viscosity spread to cover, but with Mobil 1 there doesn't seem to be much of a problem with the supersyn shearing (the Tri-syn did have a problem in this area). In that case, the slight edge in cold start protection offered by a 5w30 vs a 10w30 would lead me to use the 5w30.

This makes complete sense. I'm running Red Line 5W30 in my Stang.

tjbrowder · Jan 15, 2004

I, too, have a Mustang with a 4.6. A buddy of mine that I went to school with works for Ford SVT.....He has two Cobras and a Lightning....Runs 5W20 in all his equipment.

I know many think that 5W20 is too thin, but for this motor, it is truly the better viscosity to go with.

If your 4.6 still has a warranty on it, I emplore you to talk to a service advisor at Ford to make sure that other viscosities are not going to cause a problem.....I have seen Ford SVT dealers with specific instructions to pull oil samples before they can work on drive-train parts.....

Cougar281 · Jan 15, 2004

Over on the TCCOA boards, it has been said that the Ford engineers (one or two of which are well known over there) cringe because of FMC's choice to go with 5w-20 to satisfy the EPA or whatever, and recommend at least 5w30, and say 10w-30 is fine.

Just my $.02

Alex D · Jan 15, 2004

I tried five different oils in my 1994 Ford Thunderbird 4.6 SOHC with 100,000 miles and then switched to Amsoil S2000 0W-30 TSO ..... I will never run anything else in this engine. Why? It is the ONLY oil with near zero consumption (on M1 5w30 the engine was consuming over 1 qt./1000 miles) and it is also the ONLY oil that eliminated the 4.6 SOHC morning start up clatter entirely and permanently.
For me th only oil in a 4.6 SOHC/DOHC

MZ-Bird · Jan 15, 2004

I guess I will stick with the 10W30 unless anyone can give me a reason to go with a 0 weight oil for my high mileage motor.

I dont know anywhere local to me to get anything good other than M1. never seen the red line or amsoil anywhere.

thanks-
Mike Z

mf150 · Jan 15, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by tjbrowder:
I, too, have a Mustang with a 4.6. A buddy of mine that I went to school with works for Ford SVT.....He has two Cobras and a Lightning....Runs 5W20 in all his equipment.

I know many think that 5W20 is too thin, but for this motor, it is truly the better viscosity to go with.

If your 4.6 still has a warranty on it, I emplore you to talk to a service advisor at Ford to make sure that other viscosities are not going to cause a problem.....I have seen Ford SVT dealers with specific instructions to pull oil samples before they can work on drive-train parts.....

I wouldn't talk to a Ford advisor for any opinions on what is best for my GT or my F150. Theya are there to "translate" for the mechanics and act as middle men representing Ford MoCo. If you want an opinion that is worth something talk to a Ford Master Mechanic or any other mechanic that knows anything about cars/trucks.

I, too, know several lightning drivers that use 5W20 Amsoil. I don't know why (due to the fact that they are driving a forced induction vehicle), but they seem to be content with their decision.

Facts are facts, and you will be laughed at if you cite not using 5W20 as the cause your problem. For the 10 millionth time, In the 90s the 4.6L Modular engine came with a 10W30 recommendation. In 97, the 4.6L engine came with the recommendation of 5W30, and in 2001, they recommended 5W20. Nothing (except PI heads) were added to this engine during that period. "The clearances have been changed to not allow a 30 weight oil up to crutial points in the engine" people say. I've asked mechanic after mechanic which clearances changed during those years. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CITE WHICH CLEARANCES HAVE CHANGED.

Our family friend owns a Ford dealership up in St. Helena, California (the wine country). He and his family always have had F-150 pick-ups. He knows about the recommendation of 5W20, but even he uses 10W30 in his personal engines. The one good thing about his service center is that you can walk up and talk directly with the mechanic whiel he is working on your vehicle (as long as you stay away from the lifts).

In short there is no way that a 5W30 or 10W30 will cause any kind of damage to your 4.6L/5.4L modular engine, and I have never heard of a warranty ever being denied because of oil viscocity. Ford knew I had 10W30 Red Line (not API approved) in my 2001 F-150, and I was able to have both headgaskets replaced at 16,540 miles under warranty.

[ January 16, 2004, 09:43 AM: Message edited by: mf150 ]

MZ-Bird · Jan 16, 2004

F150,thanks for all the responses. It does ,however say 5w30 in my manula for my 94 T-Bird. just FYI.

but I am still going to do the 10w30 thing when I change this weekend.

thanks for your time

Mike

mf150 · Jan 16, 2004

I know for a fact that the police cruisers (Crown Vics.) used 10W30. They have a 4.6L in them. Maybe your T-Bird is different? Don't know.

Take care.

tjbrowder · Jan 16, 2004

quote:

I wouldn't talk to a Ford advisor for any opinions on what is best for my GT or my F150. Theya are there to "translate" for the mechanics and act as middle men representing Ford MoCo. If you want an opinion that is worth something talk to a Ford Master Mechanic or any other mechanic that knows anything about cars/trucks.

When I say speak to a service advisor, I am not suggesting that you ask them for advise on what you should use....I am, however, suggesting that if you are ever concerned about what will void warranties, start there.

quote:

Facts are facts, and you will be laughed at if you cite not using 5W20 as the cause your problem. For the 10 millionth time, In the 90s the 4.6L Modular engine came with a 10W30 recommendation. In 97, the 4.6L engine came with the recommendation of 5W30, and in 2001, they recommended 5W20. Nothing (except PI heads) were added to this engine during that period. "The clearances have been changed to not allow a 30 weight oil up to crutial points in the engine" people say. I've asked mechanic after mechanic which clearances changed during those years. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CITE WHICH CLEARANCES HAVE CHANGED.

I agree...I have done stand testing with various years of this motor, and have noted no changes with clearances.

quote:

In short there is no way that a 5W30 or 10W30 will cause any kind of damage to your 4.6L/5.4L modular engine, and I have never heard of a warranty ever being denied because of oil viscocity.

I know of one instance locally....happened to a fellow mustang club member....It really depends on your dealer, and how hard they want to push back. Sure, you can fight their decision.....but most people (the average motorist) assume they cannot win, or don't want to deal with the expense of a drawn out battle. Bottom line, if you are going to mod your vehicle, or do things "differently" from what the manual states, get to know your dealer on a first name basis.

best oil for Ford SOHC 4.6??

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