F-150 4.9 Ow20 synthetic??

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: bubbatime
That Ford 300 straight six was basically designed in the 50's and 60's. It's an OLD design. A 0W20, in Texas, is a TERRIBLE choice for that engine. If you want a common shared oil, use the same Rotella 5W40 as you use in your other car.


I agree. Having owned 5 vehicles with that engine, a 20 grade oil is not a good idea. The engine was not made to run that oil. A 0W30, 5W30, 0W40 or 5W40 would be much better suited. IIRC there is no mention of 20 grade oil as an option in the owners manual from my 1988 E-150 with the 4.9L engine.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Quote:

OP, go buy some Maxlife 10W40 and give that old engine a proper viscosity, that it craves, and deserves.


Vehicle is a 1995, not a 1975.... lol


That engine family was built from 1964 to 1996. It's an OLD design.


Perhaps an old design but had new up grades like ported fuel injection.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Quote:

OP, go buy some Maxlife 10W40 and give that old engine a proper viscosity, that it craves, and deserves.


Vehicle is a 1995, not a 1975.... lol


That engine family was built from 1964 to 1996. It's an OLD design.


Perhaps an old design but had new up grades like ported fuel injection.


Yes but the bottom end of the engine remained the same and used the same Babbitt bearings, pistons, rings, cam, valves, etc. with a carb, or EFI. They basically re-worked the head to accommodate EFI. I'd stick with a 30 grade to play it safe. Those older engines like an oil with some extra ZDDP too.

 

[jayg]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint


Yes but the bottom end of the engine remained the same and used the same Babbitt bearings, pistons, rings, cam, valves, etc. with a carb, or EFI. They basically re-worked the head to accommodate EFI. I'd stick with a 30 grade to play it safe. Those older engines like an oil with some extra ZDDP too.


Ehh after all the initial run in wear has been established, I don't think they care.

However, I agree with the old design not wanting a 20 wt necessarily. Upgrades like EFI mean nothing in oil requirements. The bottom end tolerances and design do like demarpaint said. Kind of like how virtually all big block Chevy's use some oil. 1973 or 2003, the tolerances and structure means most of them use it. Just how it is.

If you want an oil to run in everything, 5w30 would work just fine.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: jayg
Originally Posted By: demarpaint


Yes but the bottom end of the engine remained the same and used the same Babbitt bearings, pistons, rings, cam, valves, etc. with a carb, or EFI. They basically re-worked the head to accommodate EFI. I'd stick with a 30 grade to play it safe. Those older engines like an oil with some extra ZDDP too.


Ehh after all the initial run in wear has been established, I don't think they care.

However, I agree with the old design not wanting a 20 wt necessarily. Upgrades like EFI mean nothing in oil requirements. The bottom end tolerances and design do like demarpaint said. Kind of like how virtually all big block Chevy's use some oil. 1973 or 2003, the tolerances and structure means most of them use it. Just how it is.

If you want an oil to run in everything, 5w30 would work just fine.


A few of the used oil analysis I've seen show a bit more lead and copper than the newer engines of today. That and speaking with some experts in the field has lead me to believe that the reduction in ZDDP isn't helping them much. There aren't many of them in service anymore so for most people it's a moot point.