Oil recomendations - 1968 LTD

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captionwellhidn

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May 16, 2010
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Idaho, US
I have a 1968 Ford LTD with a 390 FE, Low output version with a two barrel carburetor, bone stock with a/c! My driving tends to be a bit defensive. The oil recommended is Rotunda (old school motorcraft?) 5w-30 in the manual.
With my last vehicle, I learned to use synthetic oil and very much prefer it. When I got this car, recently, I gave it a tune up, and changed the oil out for royal purple synthetic with a K&N filter. Not a brand I have ever used before, but it was on sale.
I have been trying to line up a parts list for spring time and summer time maintenance and tried reading up on fluids, and now I am lost. So I am asking for help deciding, please make a recommendation and why.
 
Royal Purple isn't a bad choice- they're still forumulating their oils with plenty of zinc/phosphorous additives for good wear protection in flat-tappet engines like vintage v8s.

I personally got a pretty ugly UOA (high iron) while using Royal Purple in one of my engines, but it may well be an engine problem rather than RP so I haven't posted it (and won't) until I get a follow up on a different oil. No sense incriminating the oil when it may not be to blame. Lots of other folks have gotten good results on RP, its a good product if somewhat overpriced.

My personal favorite for older American v8s is Shell Rotella heavy-duty engine oil. I use the T6 (synthetic) version which is only available in 5w40. If you want a thinner oil, say a 10w30, then you can use T5 synthetic blend. Its superb oil with plenty of anti-wear additives.
 
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Royal Purple isn't a bad choice- they're still forumulating their oils with plenty of zinc/phosphorous additives for good wear protection in flat-tappet engines like vintage v8s.

I personally got a pretty ugly UOA (high iron) while using Royal Purple in one of my engines, but it may well be an engine problem rather than RP so I haven't posted it (and won't) until I get a follow up on a different oil. No sense incriminating the oil when it may not be to blame. Lots of other folks have gotten good results on RP, its a good product if somewhat overpriced.

My personal favorite for older American v8s is Shell Rotella heavy-duty engine oil. I use the T6 (synthetic) version which is only available in 5w40. If you want a thinner oil, say a 10w30, then you can use T5 synthetic blend. Its superb oil with plenty of anti-wear additives.



I totally agree...
 
Thanks, as I am searching, I have noticed a few things. Shell Rotunda is not a recommended oil, your the first to recommend it to me. If the correct weight is not available in full synthetic, then maybe it is best left on the shelf. I have to deal with cold starts quite a bit in the winter, thus my preference for full synthetic.
5w-40 would get to loose I would imagine at the normal operating temperature? Great on start-up though. Recommended brands were Mobil 1, and Pennzoil. I am starting to see these two may not be best for flat tappet 390's which already have oil problems (restricted passages, bad flow, etc). If Royal Purple is the better option, I am willing to pay the price. I got lucky and got 5 quarts plus filter for 35 bucks, maybe pick up my next oil change worth when it goes on sale again?

Oh and I will get pictures up in a bit for you, there is a thunderstorm coming so it may be a day or two
 
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Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
Mobil 1 High Mileage in the weights of 5W-30, 10W-30, or 10W-40 might all be good options...


I forgot about these, they are really great oils with super add packs. May be Mobils best oils...
 
Originally Posted By: captionwellhidn

5w-40 would get to loose I would imagine at the normal operating temperature? Great on start-up though.


The first part is ABSOLUTELY NOT true! a 5w40 such as RT6 will be thicker at high temperature than a 10w30.
 
Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Rotella 5W40 would be a fine choice. RP is a good oil but I do not think it is any better then Rotella 5W40 syn.


That's what I was implying in my post also. I really think RT6 is probably better than RP *and* cheaper as well. I'm waiting to see if switching back to RT6 drives my high iron numbers down in one particular engine. If not, then its probably an engine issue- just gotta decide if I run it till something fails or tear it down early based on UOA. I'm leaning to run till it fails- its not a numbers-matching prize or anything like that, and it may not fail for years (and the failure may just be a cam lobe or something non-catastrophic, too).
 
Great suggestions, thanks for all the information!!! It's come down to Rotella 5w40 Synthetic, or RP 5w30 Synthetic. On to the next car... A 1997 Chevy Astrovan, my wifes van. It is awd with a v6, she is a very aggressive driver (as evidenced by tires, idler arms and a missing antenna). The van is just about to 200k. Before I have just had her take it in the dealer, sixty bucks is not worth it!!!
 
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on a car forumn iam on some folks are switching from royal purple and red line to rotella t6 5-40 .. my 2 twin turbo cars are a stealth and a vr4 and i will switch as soon as i get them back on the road. problem is i only drive each about 500 miles a year. some of the guys are also using rotella 15-40 in there gertag trannys.
 
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