By the end of the show season, both my 65 mustang 200 c.i. 6 cylinder with automatic transmission, and my 50 ford with the flathead v/8 and standard 3 speed w/o o/d. will have 7 to 800 miles on them. I only drive to car shows and such and about 15 to 16 hundred miles is all the total miles in a year split between the two. The mustang has 10w30 Defy with a fram ultra filter, and the 50 has 10w40 defy and a wix filter in the bypass canister. I never drive them in below 50 degree weather, and 99.5% of all trips are 20 miles or more in 70 t0 90 degree temps. Both engines are in excellent condition, and do not use any oil. I have been changing the oil every fall. I am now thinking that is a total waste, and that I should go at least 2 seasons, and maybe even 4 on the filters. The oil I drain out always looks like new. They are stored inside in not totally heated garage, but it rarely gets below freezing.
Oil change in my classics
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JHZR2
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I think it is a waste, I think youre right, IF the oils arent getting fuel or water diluted.
I think you would be best off taking a UOA sample for each at the end of the year, and seeing what's in there. If OK, Id take it to two, if not, just continue on as-is.
The reason I say two is because I know that some of my cars under warranty have allowed up to two years if the computer doesnt say to change it sooner. Using UOA has indicated this to be OK. Im not sure Id want to stretch out beyond that on the oil or filter though, personally, unless the cars are kept in climate controlled, low humidity environments.
I think you would be best off taking a UOA sample for each at the end of the year, and seeing what's in there. If OK, Id take it to two, if not, just continue on as-is.
The reason I say two is because I know that some of my cars under warranty have allowed up to two years if the computer doesnt say to change it sooner. Using UOA has indicated this to be OK. Im not sure Id want to stretch out beyond that on the oil or filter though, personally, unless the cars are kept in climate controlled, low humidity environments.
I think 2 years is reasonable without UOA, more than 2 years then do an UOA at the end of 2nd year to see if it can be extended to 3-4 years.
These are classic cars, even if you do yearly oil change the cost isn't much to keep it in top shape.
These are classic cars, even if you do yearly oil change the cost isn't much to keep it in top shape.
No, the cost is not the issue, but this year I'll be extremely busy in October, which is after car show season when I usually service the cars. I will change the oil and filter in my good car, a 14 fusion with 12000 miles on it. I change it spring and fall as it gets LOTS of short trips, both summer and winter. And that is about all the time I will be able to spare.
Originally Posted By: old1
By the end of the show season, both my 65 mustang 200 c.i. 6 cylinder with automatic transmission, and my 50 ford with the flathead v/8 and standard 3 speed w/o o/d. will have 7 to 800 miles on them. I only drive to car shows and such and about 15 to 16 hundred miles is all the total miles in a year split between the two. The mustang has 10w30 Defy with a fram ultra filter, and the 50 has 10w40 defy and a wix filter in the bypass canister. I never drive them in below 50 degree weather, and 99.5% of all trips are 20 miles or more in 70 t0 90 degree temps. Both engines are in excellent condition, and do not use any oil. I have been changing the oil every fall. I am now thinking that is a total waste, and that I should go at least 2 seasons, and maybe even 4 on the filters. The oil I drain out always looks like new. They are stored inside in not totally heated garage, but it rarely gets below freezing.
If you only drive them 7-800 miles a year, how do you know they don't burn oil? I would imagine you just change it before you notice the level going down.
I would change every 3 years easy. I'm doing every 3 in my Datsun on 42 year old oil.
By the end of the show season, both my 65 mustang 200 c.i. 6 cylinder with automatic transmission, and my 50 ford with the flathead v/8 and standard 3 speed w/o o/d. will have 7 to 800 miles on them. I only drive to car shows and such and about 15 to 16 hundred miles is all the total miles in a year split between the two. The mustang has 10w30 Defy with a fram ultra filter, and the 50 has 10w40 defy and a wix filter in the bypass canister. I never drive them in below 50 degree weather, and 99.5% of all trips are 20 miles or more in 70 t0 90 degree temps. Both engines are in excellent condition, and do not use any oil. I have been changing the oil every fall. I am now thinking that is a total waste, and that I should go at least 2 seasons, and maybe even 4 on the filters. The oil I drain out always looks like new. They are stored inside in not totally heated garage, but it rarely gets below freezing.
If you only drive them 7-800 miles a year, how do you know they don't burn oil? I would imagine you just change it before you notice the level going down.
I would change every 3 years easy. I'm doing every 3 in my Datsun on 42 year old oil.
True about the oil consumption, but I consider any less than a quart of oil to 2000 miles, and seeing no visible smoke or excessive blow by on these old cars, as not burning oil.
I have a driving pattern similar to yours. I had been changing oil & filter every two years. Blackstone report always came back fine. Last change was 3 years and that one also came back fine. Its now been 3 years and I will be changing soon so I feel comfortable with 3 years.
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