Oil Questiin

[RJS98]

I recently acquired a ford f1 with a rebuilt 351 Cleveland and it appears to need oil. Three questions based on this
- I see two dip sticks that both look to check oil - any idea why there are two (front shows it needs oil and rear in the opposite)?
- Do I add oil through the breather cap on the rear passenger side?
- what oil would you all recommend, I read 10w-30 in many forums?

Photos attached.

 

[ka9mnx]

What is a "ford f1"?
The 351C/M was spec'd for 10w-30 like all Ford engines of that era. Oil is added through the breather in the valve cover. No idea about the two dip sticks.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I wonder if one of those sticks is for your transmission fluid level or power steering fluid level?

 

[B1974]

Check where the dipsticks go into, I'm guessing the back one is your transmission fluid dipstick. The dipstick that leads to the engine block will be for engine oil. Valve cover breather to add oil.

 

[PontiacHO]

Front dipstick is engine oil. Oil poured in either valve cover (breather hole) is fine. That’s a flat tappet engine so keep that in mind. Don’t want to make this a **** slinging contest but Valvoline VR1 10w30, Castrol Classic 10w30, or Kendall GT-1 High Perf 10w30 would be my choice. It’s not mine so forge on….

 

[ka9mnx]

I wonder if one of those sticks is for your transmission fluid level or power steering fluid level?

Transmission fluid level. Ford put their dipstick towards the front.

 

[ka9mnx]

Front dipstick is engine oil. Oil poured in either valve cover (breather hole) is fine. That’s a flat tappet engine so keep that in mind. Don’t want to make this a **** slinging contest but Valvoline VR1 10w30, Castrol Classic 10w30, or Kendall GT-1 High Perf 10w30 would be my choice. It’s not mine so forge on….

Spring pressures on the 351C/M don't require high ZDDP levels. These engines were designed to go into low revving heavy low compression Land Yachts and trucks.

 

[RJS98]

What is a "ford f1"?
The 351C/M was spec'd for 10w-30 like all Ford engines of that era. Oil is added through the breather in the valve cover. No idea about the two dip sticks.

Thank you! An F1 is a step side truck, it’s a 52. If you were to guess would the dipstick in the front of the engine be the one to determine oil level?

 

[ka9mnx]

Thank you! An F1 is a step side truck, it’s a 52. If you were to guess would the dipstick in the front of the engine be the one to determine oil level?

Yes, the front one.
What do you mean by "52"? There were no 351's in 1952. Only the 95Hp flat head V8.

 

[Chris142]

The one below the coil is the engine oil. The other is the transmission dipstick.

 

[Chris142]

What is a "ford f1"?
The 351C/M was spec'd for 10w-30 like all Ford engines of that era. Oil is added through the breather in the valve cover. No idea about the two dip sticks.

F1....

 

[RJS98]

Yes, the front one.
What do you mean by "52"? There were no 351's in 1952. Only the 95Hp flat head V8.

This engine was added to this truck, not sure when as I don’t have any history.

 

[RJS98]

Check where the dipsticks go into, I'm guessing the back one is your transmission fluid dipstick. The dipstick that leads to the engine block will be for engine oil. Valve cover breather to add oil.

Thanks. Yes, looking again the rear one appears to loop back under the cab.

 

[ka9mnx]

F1....

Thanks. Brings back memories and now I remember the F1. Later came the F100.

 

[PontiacHO]

Spring pressures on the 351C/M don't require high ZDDP levels. These engines were designed to go into low revving heavy low compression Land Yachts and trucks.

Got it. So you must know that this particular engine has factory stock cam specs along with stock valve springs then.

 

[ka9mnx]

Got it. So you must know that this particular engine has factory stock cam specs along with stock valve springs then.

Souping up a 351C/M is a fools errand but idiots can do it.

 

[PontiacHO]

Souping up a 351C/M is a fools errand but idiots can do it.

Tale that to Ernie and Dan Elliott, Jon Kasse, Bob Glidden, and Bud Moore.