Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
OK, you are in Montana and that can get right cold in winter ... So is this car being driven in winter? Will it sit overnight at say the airport or something?
When you rebuilt the engine, did you'all install a high volume oil pump? Cast or forged pistons? What kind of cam (I assume flat tappet ...). Who's lifters? What kind of valve spring pressures? King Bearing rods/mains, or Clevite? You get the idea ... We need a bit more info?
Does this car/engine sit for extended periods of time - say a week, or a month? The reason I ask is because real synthetics tend to have lower surface tension (in part, that's how they get their lower W rating) so they tend to drain off over time. They still leave a film, but not a very robust one. Dino oils tend to have better capillary fill and cushion better on cold start after sitting. You'll know the first time you start it after sitting if it has say Mobil 1. It'll tell if it's not happy going that way right off the bat ...
VR-1 Silver Bottle (street) is always a good choice. If not sitting out in winter, SAE 30 HD is also a good choice. It has been shown to reduce upper cylinder wear on cold start over some multis - especially carb'd engines.
I'm quite happy with Delo 400 15W-30 SD (severe duty) as it has a good add pak and seems to have excellent base oils. But it might not be right for the bearing clearances, depending on how this engine was set up ...
I'd have no reservation running Maxlife blend either, as it's become the new VR-1 out here. Only caveat would be high spring pressures and not running Crower Camsaver Lifters ... If more than 300# over the nose with plain lifters, I'd prolly not run Maxlife (not enough zinc). With Camsavers or EDM solids, no problem.
Bunch of variables here, so fill in the blanks and we can go from there
Not being driven in winter, but I do my best to go start it at least once a month and warm it up, charge the battery and such.
Here's the remanned engine it has in it and specs:
http://www.high-performance-engines.com/ford-351w-mid-dress-engine-385hp-p/hp11m.htm
Here's a pic or two of the car!