This site has helped me fill a void that I had in awareful maintenance care with all my machines. I'd like thank everyone for there contributions, from insights and experience, to theoretical discussions and hard data.
Since coming across this site, I feel I've been increasingly able to decide for myself what's best w/o second guesses, rather than get tied into the marketing hype. I have gone from changing oil and filters twice a year using a well marketed synthetic (5w-30 winter, 10w-30 summer), to once a year with a synthetic blend (5w-30) - average 6k miles.
I also have come to be more causual with loading engines until they're fully warmed and oil pressures (if equiped with a guage), has reached normal readings. I have taken to the heavier weight/higher oil pressure isn't necessarily better opinion.
I've found some interesting books that delve into the once unknown world of tribology, which has vastly expanded my understanding (still nothing to write home about), that a good oil isn't just oil alone. My faith in using an oil that meets the latest API spec.'s is growing - even in a OHC'ed engine w/flat tappets.
I don't think that I would have ever put samples of new and used engine oil in the kitchen freezer to observe flow characteristics, have cut open filters, or created an oil stash of various brands and weights. For that matter, I don't think I would have come across others wh've taken to and enjoy such activities either! The dynamic environment that must be contended with in the quest for developing/selecting the ideal lubricant/lubrication regimen is fascinating, and sharing the knowledge and experiences makes it that much more fun.
To all those that help make it happen,
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