Modern oil for 1976 302?

[Wurlitzer]

I've got Valvoline synthetic 10w30 HM in my 76 f100 with the original 302. Are modern oils adequate for these old motors, or should I use some special oil with extra ZDDP?

Also what weight would you guys recommend?

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Delo XLE 10W30 especially if you can still find it on clearance at Walmart.

Otherwise the Valvoline Maxlife blend is plenty good.

 

[53' Stude]

Originally Posted By: SubieRubyRoo
Delo XLE 10W30 especially if you can still find it on clearance at Walmart.

Otherwise the Valvoline Maxlife blend is plenty good.


Or DELO 15W40 clearance at wal Mart. I paid $8 each 2.5 gallon :^)

 

[KMJ1992]

Valvoline has treated all my Fords well. I use the same Maxlife 10/30 in my 95 but its a roller motor. You may consider a diesel spec 10/30. I wouldnt go up to a 15w40 unless you work it really hard.

 

[old1]

I have read (possibly on this site) that on a well broke in stock engine that doesn't have very high valve spring pressures, that the modern oils are ok. BUT, I still use the higher ZDDP


oils in mine. Remember many of the new diesel oils also meet the SM/SN spec's and are not high in ZDDP.

 

[Nitronoise]

Rotella T-5 10 30 has over 1000 ppm zinc should serve you well , I run it in the Buick in my sig with no problems

with a tune , underdrive pullies and a down pipe ,

 

[Linctex]

I run whatever (inexpensive) “plain Jane” 15W–40 I can find
in my 28-year-old 302.

 

[Shannow]

10W30 HDMO, or 15W30 Delo, or 15W40 HDMO.

 

[Alex_V]

Originally Posted By: KMJ1992
Valvoline has treated all my Fords well. I use the same Maxlife 10/30 in my 95 but its a roller motor. You may consider a diesel spec 10/30. I wouldnt go up to a 15w40 unless you work it really hard.


This. I don't sign onto the necessity (or even recommendation) of 15w40 in older domestic gas engines. I run Schaeffer's 7000 10w30 in my '85 454 and Valvoline Maxlife or white bottle in my Suburban's '78 350, and both stay happy. I considered moving the 454 up to their 5w40 but it performs really well on the 10w30.

 

[klt1986]

How about the thinnest 0w-16 you can find!

Just joking with you. Delo or Rotella in 15w-40 would be my choice.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted By: Alex_V

This. I don't sign onto the necessity (or even recommendation) of 15w40 in older domestic gas engines. I run Schaeffer's 7000 10w30 in my '85 454 and Valvoline Maxlife or white bottle in my Suburban's '78 350, and both stay happy. I considered moving the 454 up to their 5w40 but it performs really well on the 10w30.


Interestingly... my 7.4 (454) in my 1995 K3500 has 296,000 miles on the same 15W-40 oil we put in all of our farm equipment (bought by the 55 gallon drum)

 

[FCD]

Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 should be just perfect for it.
or Delo XLE 10W-30.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Wurlitzer
I've got Valvoline synthetic 10w30 HM in my 76 f100 with the original 302. Are modern oils adequate for these old motors, or should I use some special oil with extra ZDDP?

Also what weight would you guys recommend?

If it were mine I would use a good name brand 10W30 conventional oil every 5K miles. That's what I used when I used to build SBC engines.

 

[BrocLuno]

The op temp viscosity depends on the bearing clearances. How worn is the engine? Somewhere around 100,000 miles with a carb'd engine is usually the turn over point. Reason is fuel dilution from rich starts and the associated wear over time.

302's are not known to cam/lifter failures. Ant HDEO will be entirely adequate. 10W-30 or 15W-40 will be fine. Any ZDDP level over 800 PPM is fine for OEM valve gear. I'd take a bit more if availble ...

Can you find Mystic JT8 locally at a good price (Tractor Supply?). It's a good oil for older engines

My fav is Delo 400 15W-30 SD (severe duty), but it's hard to find and can be really pricey for some reason. Do you do any business with the Chevron Distributor?

 

[Wurlitzer]

Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
The op temp viscosity depends on the bearing clearances. How worn is the engine? Somewhere around 100,000 miles with a carb'd engine is usually the turn over point. Reason is fuel dilution from rich starts and the associated wear over time.

302's are not known to cam/lifter failures. Ant HDEO will be entirely adequate. 10W-30 or 15W-40 will be fine. Any ZDDP level over 800 PPM is fine for OEM valve gear. I'd take a bit more if availble ...

Can you find Mystic JT8 locally at a good price (Tractor Supply?). It's a good oil for older engines

My fav is Delo 400 15W-30 SD (severe duty), but it's hard to find and can be really pricey for some reason. Do you do any business with the Chevron Distributor?
There's no telling how many miles are on it. The odometer rolls over at 100k. Plus the headers were rebuilt at I don't know when. I don't even know exactly what the "headers rebuilt" actually means either.

 

[4WD]

It sounds like the only choice is Delo or walk…

(Or about two dozen 10w30/10w30 HM)

 

[rrounds]

With the age and miles on the motor, even if when new the valve springs were high tension springs they would be less today, a lot less. I would use a good all round oil like M1 0/40FS 1000 P and 1100 Z. Good enough for the cam and lifters and a very good add pack to keep the engine clean. You can find it almost anywhere and it won't M/T your wallet.

ROD

 

[Dallas69]

Any namebrand dino 10-30.

 

[Alex_V]

Originally Posted By: Linctex

Interestingly... my 7.4 (454) in my 1995 K3500 has 296,000 miles on the same 15W-40 oil we put in all of our farm equipment (bought by the 55 gallon drum)


I didn't say it'd hurt them, just that there aren't any compelling benefits over a stout 10w30 like that Schaeffer's 7000 I use in mine. Prior to the 10w30 I had 15w40 of the same type in it for over 30K and it did no harm - but I ran the 10w30 6,400 miles last year and saw no oil pressure loss at idle (which is to say the viscosity is holding up fine) and the truck is noticeably less encumbered with the 30 weight.

 

[THORROMIG]

Run a good/reputable 10W30 conventional SN oil and call it a day.



Dale