Should I clean this engine? (w/pic)

[sasilverbullet]

Here's a pic of my 1970 460 in my Lincoln. This is a 42 year old engine with 95K miles on it. I run Chevron Delo 15w40 in it with 2-3K OCI's with a WIX filter. I bought the car about 2.5 years ago with 84K on it. Been running the Delo since I bought it.

Do you guys think I need to worry about running some kind of cleaner like Sea Foam or some such in the oil? (car runs fine, compression is all good)

 

[Dakota1820]

Doesn't look that bad. I wouldn't worry about it .

 

[oldhp]

Looks like a 42 year old engine should.
10oz SeaFoam, fill with Pennzoil 10W40 and the big Ford oil filter.
Napa 1515. Or the Ford FL-1A.
You should be good to go 2000 miles and change again.

 

[LeakySeals]

Seafoam is marketed as an engine cleaner, fuel cleaner, lube, fuel stabilizer and many more claims. Its mostly a lube. 50% Pale oil. 30% Naphtha which is a mild cleaner in oil at best based on sump size. 20% IPA which I would NOT want in my motor oil. Other cleaners like Kreen OR MMO would be more effective.

That being said no, I don't think you need additives. It looks excellent, looks like nice clean cast iron to me. Keep doing what your doing. You can also try Shell Rotella T6 5w40 Full Synthetic HDEO for 5-7k intervals. It may like that.

 

[skellyman]

Looks good, keep using the Delo.

 

[skyship]

Looks fine, although what is the sump like??
I would think about switching to a major brand HM 15w40 (I'm assuming it stays above freezing in winter) if your consumption is less than perfect and the short OCI makes sense for an old timer.
If you see a good HM 5 or 10/40 on special offer that might be the best idea if it's cheaper.

 

[oldhp]

Forgot, this engine needs ZDDP for camshaft/lifters. If the Delo has at least 1000 PPM zinc you should be ok. If not add some ZDDP to it to protect cam/lifters.

 

[jmsjags]

i don't see anything wrong with it. what's the problem?

i DEFINITELY would not recommend using a harsh cleaner or solvent on it.

 

[AandPDan]

Sometimes it's best to leave well enough alone.

It looks great. Don't use any additives - including seafoam. Just let the oil do its job.

 

[OB4x4]

Engine looks fine, considering its age. The Delo is good oil with a nice amount of zddp, and your oci's are very conservative. Sounds like you're doing all the right things.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Looks fine, after 42 years old I would expect some black varnish and slight deposits to have formed.

If it is really bothering you use some MMO or Seafoam along with the delo.

 

[sasilverbullet]

Whew! Thanks everyone! That's what I thought, just wanted to verify it. I'll be leaving it alone.

I will verify I'm running the correct level of ZDDP.

 

[OVERKILL]

Leave it alone, just keep doing what you are doing, it looks great for the age!

 

[electrolover]

If you keep running the delo it might clean up on its own.

Mobil 1 High Mileage is another option. Its got a good amount of ZDDP and is pretty good at cleaning.

Rotella T6 is another option with high ZDDP and good cleaning abilities.

If it were mine I would run a HDEO with Auto Rx just to see if it does anything....but thats more of an experimental approach, just out of curiosity.

 

[3311]

Button it up and keep on with the Delo 15w40!! We are the same age and that things inards are probably better looking than mine.

 

[KrisZ]

On a 42 year old engine, with most of its seals the same age, the last thing you want to do is to start cleaning it up rapidly with solvents and what not.

Just use Delo and if the oil cleans it up a bit SLOWLY that will be the added bonus, if not, you're still good to go with no worries.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: electrolover
If you keep running the delo it might clean up on its own.

Mobil 1 High Mileage is another option. Its got a good amount of ZDDP and is pretty good at cleaning.

Actually, the new CJ-4 grade oils are way down on detergent levels compared to the previous CI-4+ grade.

Castrol GTX 15w40 was one of the last HDEO oil to go to CJ-4. The Advance Autos in my area still have a few of those GTX CI-4+ quarts in stock, albeit expensive at $5+ each.

Also, GM E.O.S. oil supplement has lots of calcium detergent.

 

[skyship]

FINAL SCORE:
The three addaholics:
10oz SeaFoam, fill with Pennzoil 10W40
use some MMO or Seafoam along with the delo
I would run a HDEO with Auto Rx

The don't worry be happy team:
I wouldn't worry about it
I don't think you need additives
Looks fine
Button it up and keep on with the Delo
It looks great. Don't use any additives
Just use Delo

SNAKE OILERS UTD 3, EDUCATED HAPPY TEAM 6!!

 

[skyship]

New new oils have changed from around 2 to 3K ppm of Calcium to 1.5K and replaced it with Magnesium based detergents of 1 to 1.5K ppm. The Mg has an anti corrosive side effect although it is not quite as good a detergent as the Ca.
The GM EOS supplement ran into trouble with the EPA and fouled the exhaust, I think it is not for sale as a result. GM issued a specific warning against using flush additives in any gas cars in due to far Eastern seal problems.

 

[Donald]

You could try T6, its synthetic and will do a good job at cleaning, although it does not look bad at all.

How many GPM does the vehicle use of gas?