Oil recommendation for two older modular 4.6Ls?

[ford46guy]

Ok, this is my first post, Engine 1 belongs to a 95 Thunderbird with 200K miles, all original except for new valve stem seals and the bypass filter gasket. Engine 2 has 150K and belongs to a 95 Continental(it is a DOHC). They don't burn any oil and run like new.

I use motorcraft filters on a 5 month oci. They aren't driven that much, so maybe 2.5-3K miles. The guy in Walmart said the best choice for these is Motorcraft 5W20, he has an 4.6 F150 and said he is a retired Ford Tech and uses that with a FL820s filter. He said that is what you get at the dealer if you brought them in. He also said thinner oil lubricates the top end of these motors, as well as prolonging life of the chain tensioners. He said if you are racing it is another story though.

I'm reading though that 5W30 is better for OLDER cars with these motors. Then there are the high mileage options. I know they are probably all good choices but looking for any stray opinions

 

[dave1251]

In reality this engine family is very durable and you could use anything from a 5W20 to 25W70 and your engines would continue to live their long lives.

On my 5.4 Modular I use 5W20.

How long have you maintained the cars in question?

 

[Art_Vandelay]

I know the Thunderbird's engine was back spec'd to 5W-20 by Ford. I suspect the Continental's was as well.

Since they don't burn oil and run like new I would never use a high mileage oil in either of them. Ford's Motorcraft 5W-20 is superb in just about anyone's opinion. The 820S is a legend of excellence and can easily do 10,000 mile/ 1 year intervals. So you might want to change it every other drain (one less Dry Start) if you stick to twice yearly OCI's.

I know that you're new to the forum so some suggestions might take time to digest. Having said that you are a perfect candidate for once a year oil changes. Grab a jug of Quaker State Ultimate Durability 5W-20 or 5w30 at Walmart for $20.97. It's a full synthetic that can easily accommodate your 5-6000 miles a year. It's the cheapest brand name synthetic at only a couple dollars more than Motorcraft semi-synthetic.
Best of luck with the cars and Welcome to BITOG!

 

[dparm]

I would stick with Motorcraft 5w20, or maybe a 5w20 high mileage oil. Those motors aren't picky, especially if you aren't off-roading or towing every day.

 

[EricF]

My parent's 99 Ranger with the 3.0L was back spec'd to 5w20 as well. It's only seen 5w30 since day 1. it's at 58k now, I'm going to just keep putting 5w30 in it and not think twice about it.
However, the 5w20 might help with the valve train noise that's faint but there, maybe help it get some better mileage too?

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

I have had a few of those engines over the years. Used mostly Castrol GTX. Since coming to this site I've switched around and tried new oils. All of them have done well. I just always seem to come back to Castrol, some habits are hard to break since they have been engrained in you since childhood by your father, oh well. Either brand you choose will keep those going for a long time, Welcome!

 

[ford46guy]

Thanks for the responses. I got both cars with about 100K on them. I do all the repairs on them (most of the problems are due to rust, just changed some springs, but that is another story!).

I see (also from looking at the forum) that Motorcraft is a good oil. I don't think Ford wants warranty work so they have a vested interest to create the best oil for their cars.

I know for newer Fords you could go 1 year on a filter, so the suggestion to do one filter change a year may make sense. You also save a quart too!

I also have a 96 Explorer w/4.0 and I was told that that truck MUST have 5W30. That has to do with the oil pump design. I found an article on the net saying that 5W20 accelerates wear(written by some Ford bigwig), but I really doubt that it would be in use this long if that were the case. The article is over 10 years old. I do believe for Racing or High RPMs a higher viscosity would be a better idea. I know ford specs 5w50 for some applications.

I actually use Castrol GTX HM on the Explorer, may try it on the Modular as well.

 

[BISCUT]

I keep to MC 5-20 and a MC filter in my 04 F150 and everyone all happy! Blackstone says so 2! Next analysis will be in 800 miles.

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: ford46guy
Ok, this is my first post, Engine 1 belongs to a 95 Thunderbird with 200K miles, all original except for new valve stem seals and the bypass filter gasket. Engine 2 has 150K and belongs to a 95 Continental(it is a DOHC). They don't burn any oil and run like new.

I use motorcraft filters on a 5 month oci. They aren't driven that much, so maybe 2.5-3K miles. The guy in Walmart said the best choice for these is Motorcraft 5W20, he has an 4.6 F150 and said he is a retired Ford Tech and uses that with a FL820s filter. He said that is what you get at the dealer if you brought them in. He also said thinner oil lubricates the top end of these motors, as well as prolonging life of the chain tensioners. He said if you are racing it is another story though.

I'm reading though that 5W30 is better for OLDER cars with these motors. Then there are the high mileage options. I know they are probably all good choices but looking for any stray opinions

No issues with our 4.6 in our Crown Vic using Havoline 5w30 + FL820S filter

 

[armos]

A relative had a 94 Thunderbird 4.6 which was about 350K miles when he got rid of it. Engine was still healthy but sometime after 300K it was beginning to lose a little compression. Oil pressure was still very good, it was checked with a mechanical gauge near the end of the car's life.

I think he used basic Pennzoil 10w40 for most of it's life. I'd probably use 5w30 as long as I was happy with the oil pressure, especially in a colder climate. Unfortunately Ford's dashboard gauge is dumbed down to the point of being pretty much useless.
I might use a long life filter and run it for 2 OCIs, I remember it being difficult to change on that car.

 

[donnyj08]

MC is a very good oil for the modulars. any good 5w20/5w30 will work well. i prefer 5w20 in the modulars ive had. always use the FL820s filter, it is the best option period.

 

[askani79705]

I don't believe there's a wrong answer for the 4.6.I know I've run everything in mine.MS5K, Pennzoil conventional, Nextgen ML, MC and Quaker State in 5w30 have all run well.

 

[Lyman]

I always ran 5w30 Quaker State Ultimate Durability in my 4.6. Seemed to run real well on it.

 

[hardcore302]

If you are looking into a conventional or bled I would go with MotorCraft or Pennzoil conventional. It will clean well. If you want Synthetic I would go with Quaker State for the price.

 

[Clevy]

Awesome thread.
K. Op. you are in the same boat as me. A 2v and 4v.
I can tell you from experience I ran everything from a 20 grade to a 40 grade in my 2v mustang,and I routinely sprayed nitrous and beat the everlovin carp out of that engine and it came back for more. What killed it finally was spitting out plugs,and I pulled it because I found a 4v from an 04 Mach to put in it.
The 4v has an issue with cylinder 8 and heat. I suggest you look up head cooling mod for a 4v and look into it.
As far as oil goes these engines go from cop cars to cabs and get 500000 miles from the engines on a 20 grade,so honestly what do you expect to gain,if anything by perhaps going thicker.
If its consuming oil then move up a grade but if no oil consumption is present then stick with a 20 grade.
I'm going to be running the caterham blend in my 4v. And a can of ceratec,then mos2,forever.
Rock on

 

[Kruse]

I currently have a 4.6/4 valve and a 5.4/2 valve in my arsenal. I've run several different brands of 5w30 and 5W-20, but I usually use a Motorcraft filter. These engines aren't too picky about oil brands. It's probably not cheaply available in NY, but my biggest stash of oil right now is Trop-Artic. My advice is to buy whatever you have at a good price and run it.

 

[SteveSRT8]

We have had a batch of 4.6's around here when my son was into lincolns, mercurys, and Crown Vics. All were 100k miles and more.

They are really easy on the oil. A relatively low output motor with a conservative tune is a recipe for longevity, and Ford really got the 4.6 right.

Cheap to fix, too. I couldn't stand the platforms, but I love the drivetrains....

 

[229]

..."the best choice for these is Motorcraft 5W20, he has an 4.6 F150 and said he is a retired Ford Tech and uses that with a FL820s filter. He said that is what you get at the dealer if you brought them in. He also said thinner oil lubricates the top end of these motors, as well as prolonging life of the chain tensioners"...

You were given Ford wisdom.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: 229
..."the best choice for these is Motorcraft 5W20, he has an 4.6 F150 and said he is a retired Ford Tech and uses that with a FL820s filter. He said that is what you get at the dealer if you brought them in. He also said thinner oil lubricates the top end of these motors, as well as prolonging life of the chain tensioners"...

You were given Ford wisdom.


Not quite. The first modulars called for 5w30. It wasn't til 2000 that ford back spec'd em for 5w-20 and it was purely a cafe decision,however the decision didn't do the engines any harm as history has proven.
I did find that a 20 grade got real loud real fast,when I used a 40 grade I had a whisper quiet engine for the entire oci,and I never noticed a mileage loss however I beat that mustang pretty hard,nitrous,red line gear shifts.
I love that car.

 

[RF Overlord]

Agree w/most of the advice above.

Use 5W-20 or 5w30 of whatever brand makes you feel fuzzy, but the MC FL820S is by far the best filter for that motor.