Interesting Oil Cap - 1963 T-Bird

[dkryan]

A friend sent me this link from hemmings.com on a 1963 T-Bird for sale.

No, I don’t own a classic T-Bird (he does) but I always enjoy perusing listings on Hemmings and BringaTrailer.

What caught my eye was the third photo from the top left under “Engine Bay.” I have attached the photo (after seeking guidance from WWillson) showing the oil cap label.

It’s interesting to see they recommend 6k mile OCIs. This, for a 390 cubic inch V8.

And to help those of you more visually challenged, the oil cap label reads, in part:

“Specify Oil Labeled “Meets Car Makers’ Requirements“
Sequence Tested M-S”

In the seller’s comments, he notes:

“I use FoMoCo or NAPA Gold filters in my cars and Driven HR2 10W-30 high zinc Racing Oil.”

 

[dkryan]

Also, take a look at the label on the air filter housing re: servicing the crankcase ventilation system

What car maker nowadays even mentions that?

 

[ripcord]

I'm skeptical that any Ford back when a Thunderbird came with an FE engine had a recommended oil change interval of 6k miles. 3k oil changes were pushing it with the oils available back then.

 

[dkryan]

I just wrote what it said on the oil cap label.

 

[ripcord]

I just wrote what it said on the oil cap label.

I take back what I said. I found a PDF of a 1963 Ford owners manual and it said 6000 or six months for oil changes. Wow.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Miles were smaller in the 60s. That’s why muscle cars never test as fast now as they supposedly did in the 60s.

 

[CleanSump]

And it's a breather cap too!

 

[K-Man]

I'm suspicious of that oil-cap label because it looks too recent/new. Reproduction? Came on a replacement cap? Compare the condition of the PCV label on the air-filter housing.

 

[michaelluscher]

MS = Most Severe c. 1953
It's API equivalent is SC, for '64-'71 applications
The sticker might be repro, but it's facts seem accurate
TIL they had 5w20 oils in '64

 

[97prizm]

I take back what I said. I found a PDF of a 1963 Ford owners manual and it said 6000 or six months for oil changes. Wow.

Wouldn't the oil be fairly spent after 6k miles in 1963

 

[CleanSump]

I'm suspicious of that oil-cap label because it looks too recent/new. Reproduction? Came on a replacement cap? Compare the condition of the PCV label on the air-filter housing.

There are companies that sell new made stickers and decals for restoration. You'd lose points at Amelia Island, but most people aren't going to show their car there.

 

[IndyIan]

Wouldn't the oil be fairly spent after 6k miles in 1963

I guess it is 6 quarts of 10W30 with not many VII's, in a pretty under stressed engine, running at ideal temperatures for oil life and not efficiency, and it probably burned a couple quarts or three in that distance?
And anything over 100-150k miles before a rebuild was the goal?

 

[dkryan]

Well, heck!

Forgive me fellow BITOGers.

I forgot to include the link to the hemmings.com listing.

If you don’t like Fords and/or red cars, don’t bother opening the link!

https://www.hemmings.com/listing/1963-ford-thunderbird-945814

 

[tedsweet]

MY 66 MUSTANG HAS SAME CAP AND DECAL

 

[addyguy]

The manual for my dads ‘67 Mustang 289 called for 6k/6-month intervals on 10W-30, for pretty well all temperatures.

 

[MCompact]

My first BMW was a 1973 Bavaria. The owners manual called for a 4k mile OCI (along with removal and inspection of the spark plugs at the same interval).