Engine oil type

[catawba1]

The water pump has been replaced took me awhile but its done thanks ,now while I was at it I changed out several items , when I filled the engine up with 10w30  my neighbor said that I was using the wrong oil and I should be using a 50w oil on the 460 engine , I see nothing wrong with 10w30 on the C class 460 30 ft motorhome. What do you guys think its an older engine 91 .

 

[tswms]

I have a 1990 Ford 460. The original manual says 5-30 up to 100 degree outside temp, and 10-30 above. Since my C is used mostly in warmer weather as most are, I have always used 10-30. 

 

[Natetheskate]

Use the prescribed weight, but use synthetic oil, such as AMSOIL.

 

[RoyM]

10W30 is just fine in a healthy engine, especially this time of year if you live in a northern region. I doubt very much you would find a straight 50, 20W50 is popular in racing engines but is not suitable for your application unless the engine is bagged and you are trying to dump it.

 

[scottydl]

Mine is a '94 with the Ford 460 and I use 10W30 which is recommended.  I  use Mobil1 Extended Performance full synthetic, rated for 15,000 miles or 1 year.  I only drive about 1500 miles/year anyway and would probably be fine on once/year changes with conventional oil, but I like the extra protection of synthetic.  I buy the Mobil1 at Advance Auto when they have oil change specials (a few times a year, just watch the sale ads) and usually get 5 quarts + M1 oil filter for around $30.  Can't beat it.

 

[Lowell]

Some of the older engines need an oil with zinc.  I use straight 40-wt valvoline racing oil in my 75 international becase it has zinc and had a good performance history with others in my International vehicle club.  On my 2009 Dodge Ram Pickup and 2007 Honda Van, I use Mobil 1 5W-20 as that  weight is recommended for those vehicle in the manual.

 

[falconbrother]

Unlike most people I use whatever is on sale and change the oil regularly.  I have been driving for 31 years and never had a problem.  In my opinion synthetic is fine.  I have used it.  But, I also have a Dodge 3500 with 245000 miles on it and has never seen a drop of synthetic oil.  Just what ever is on sale, four times a year.  Or, as the seasons change.  I had a Datsun truck years ago that I used cheap Kmart oil in and drove it 180,000 miles and it was running perfect when I sold it.  Granted, I probably wouldnt use that low grade of an oil now.  But, I changed the oil religiously.  My theory has become that I wont outlive a vehicle engine that gets regular oil changes.  In my work we have a large fleet of vehicles.  We buy store brand oils from places like NAPA or Car Quest.  Our vehicles get driven super hard and in 25 years I have never seen a blown engine due to oil quality.  I have seen plenty from vehicles that got ignored and ran low (or out) on oil.  I saw one throw a rod because it was driven for 30 miles in second gear and it was garbage from the factory.  But, I have never seen a damaged engine that was regularly serviced and maintained, even with store brand oils.  So, I always use whatever is on sale and change it every three months or 3000 miles. 

 

[cruzn57]

most "store brands"  are made by one of the larger manufactures, so using store brands is fine as I see it,
older engines ( non roller lifter) will need extra zinc in the oil, as they tend to wear the cam and lifters sooner,
I have some older "classic cars" that I add GM EOS to, just for insurance, there are other additives with high zinc content,
this just happens to be the most readily available.
I have used store brands for over 25yrs, some of my vehicles have had over 200k miles, with no  issues.
so I agree, use what ever makes you happy.
(again, my 2 cents)