Hello to all! I've been lurking these forums for a while and decided to join. So much information here and I'm still trying to get my head around much of what I've read. Anyways I have two vehicles, one is my daily beater 1998 Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC. I use primarily Castrol GTX 5w30 and a SuperTech 3506 or AC Delco PF-46 filter at 3000 - 3500 mile change intervals. Burns less than half a quart between changes and runs like a top at 155k miles. Other is my 2000 F-150, 5.4L SOHC with an ATI ProCharger P1-SC @ 13 - 14 psi. Has 54k miles. Dyno'd 350 whp, 425 lb-ft with a slipping belt at 10 psi. I've always used Mobil 1 with a Motorcraft FL-820S filter since the first oil change. Truck is rarely driven now...few times a month usually to meets or to the track. Oil is changed every 4 months reguardless of mileage. Any tips or info appreciated. Never done a UOA but I'd like to do one on the truck at some point in the future.
New member, advice appreciated
- Thread starter BlownF150
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I defer to others for the advice ..I'm just stopping by to say "Hi!"
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I think you would do well to take the drain oil from the F150 and run it in the beater. Depending on how quickly you run up miles on the beater, you can adjust the whole thing to get 4 or 5 thousand miles on the oil between the two vehicles. Maybe that results in 3 month change intervals for both vehicles, maybe 4 month. Anyway, that would spare throwing out 4 month F150 oil that only has 500 or so miles on it and allow you to buy higher quality oil since it will get full use.
Maybe it's my biology background, but I am not a fan of taking fluids from one beast and infusing them into another beast. If your F150 start throwing metal, your Cavalier gets sandblasted from the inside. Plus, I'm not sure that your GM will appreciate FORD hand-me-downs.
"I've always used Mobil 1 with a Motorcraft FL-820S filter since the first oil change. Truck is rarely driven now...few times a month usually to meets or to the track. Oil is changed every 4 months reguardless of mileage."
This is a big waste of time and expensive oil. I'd change the oil and oil filter once a year. And since you don't put many miles on the truck I'd consider switching to a good dino oil.
This is a big waste of time and expensive oil. I'd change the oil and oil filter once a year. And since you don't put many miles on the truck I'd consider switching to a good dino oil.
^^^^^^^^
HA! I only wish we could be back in the "good ol' days" of Ford vs. Chevy (with Chrysler thrown in for good measure).
Anyway, WELCOME! It's always cool to see another member with an all domestic stable. Just be aware that some (most?) on here hate GM/domestic rides, and take every chance they can to BASH the daylights out of them, while deifying all foreign nameplates. In fact, I'm suprised no one has come on yet to claim ** on you getting 155K trouble free miles out of the Cav, or even 54K out of an edgey, boosted F150.
You have a oil temp gauge on your truck? If you do, how hot does the oil get?
I know I'm probably wasting a bit of money on the truck with the way I change the oil. I'll extend the intervals out and try to do a UOA this summer. I don't mind import cheerleaders too much either...I've put enough Tundras and Titans in their places. But they do have faster interiors than me...
The only temp. gauge I have is for the transmission and it seldom gets to 180 F even in the summer. The Cavy I'm a little more concerned with on the oil as I drive it a lot. Commutes to school or work are 168 and 64 miles respectively so it sees a lot of highway mileage. Any opinions on Motorcraft 5w30 full synthetic? I think the 5w30 I see at Wally World is a synthetic blend?
Highway miles are really easy on oil, I'd say run the Motorcraft semi-synthetic oil in the Cavalier and run it out to 5,000 miles. I wouldn't bother with the Motorcraft Synthetic oil. Besides being overkill in the Cavalier, it's pretty tough to find in retail outlets.
I've been looking into Redline, a friend and I are looking into a bulk deal since we both run the same weight oil. I was inquiring about the full syn. Motorcraft for the truck...if it's cheaper than Mobil 1 then it might we worth switching to if I can find it locally. A few places here stock Motorcraft and FRPP parts and supplies. I'm not terribly worried about the trucks engine lasting 100k miles, it won't. At least not if I have anything to do about it...
BlownF150:
I'd say you're doing everything perfectly.
Since you won't need many UOAs, I'd suggest getting one REALLY good one to protect your precious truck investment.
As such, get up with Dyson analysis and get Terry to give you a good read on comprehensive testing.
Only things I'd consider changing if I were you might be the brand of oil.
I'd consider playing with Redline or Amsoil if I were you, but... that's a personal preference, and likely a waste of money.
I'd say you're doing everything perfectly.
Since you won't need many UOAs, I'd suggest getting one REALLY good one to protect your precious truck investment.
As such, get up with Dyson analysis and get Terry to give you a good read on comprehensive testing.
Only things I'd consider changing if I were you might be the brand of oil.
I'd consider playing with Redline or Amsoil if I were you, but... that's a personal preference, and likely a waste of money.
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