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Oil selection for 351W not driven much
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Dubz View Drop Down
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    Posted: 14-June-2023 at 11:05AM
Hi folks,  

I have a 351W in my 74 Gran Torino that has about 63,000 miles on the clock.  Its a stock bottom end with an intake/carb/headers.  The car has been a long term project and summer only car, mostly parked over the last 23 years (maybe 100 miles put on in the past 15 years).  Now that it's got a new home, and I've got the rusty gas tank replaced, I'm hoping to get the car running well and get some new miles to make up for lost time.

I'm ashamed to say I can't remember when it had it's oil changed last, but I'd like to rectify that shortly.

I do have a case of Rislone Hy-per lube ZDDP additive I'd plan on adding to the oil, as I have been told modern oils and flat tappet cams don't get along great.

As for the oil itself, what weight/type/brand of oil would you suggest for something with this kind of mileage and usage?
1974 Gran Torino in flat black 351W/C6
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My old stand-by oil for stockish vintage engines like yours is Shell Rotella 10W30.  Here in Ontario, Car Quest stocks it in 10W30 grade rather than the more common 15W40.  Rotella works well with flat tappet cams and the robust additive package is good for our not so clean carburetor fed engines.  Plus, there is no need for additional additives.

I typically change the oil on my cars about once a year, just before I park them for winter.
Vince

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Best oils for Torino years are "High Zink Content" types - such as Lucas or Comp Cams brands.



Pictured is Lucas 10-40 for representation of the labeling. For most applications, 10-30 is best.
Stay away from synthetic type (although excellent lubricants!) Our engines are not sealed well enough, so the oil will leak through everywhere.
GKF
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Originally posted by 72FordGTS 72FordGTS wrote:

My old stand-by oil for stockish vintage engines like yours is Shell Rotella 10W30.  Here in Ontario, Car Quest stocks it in 10W30 grade rather than the more common 15W40.  Rotella works well with flat tappet cams and the robust additive package is good for our not so clean carburetor fed engines.  Plus, there is no need for additional additives.

I typically change the oil on my cars about once a year, just before I park them for winter.

Looking at my local Canadian Tire, the Shell Rotella I'm seeing says it's for diesels.  Is that the oil you're talking about or is there a gasoline vehicle product that's different?
1974 Gran Torino in flat black 351W/C6
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Originally posted by Greg73Oregon Greg73Oregon wrote:

Best oils for Torino years are "High Zink Content" types - such as Lucas or Comp Cams brands.



Pictured is Lucas 10-40 for representation of the labeling. For most applications, 10-30 is best.
Stay away from synthetic type (although excellent lubricants!) Our engines are not sealed well enough, so the oil will leak through everywhere.

Nifty, I'll have to look around to see if any of our local stores carry that one.  If not I can add to my next summit order for next years oil change Cool
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Originally posted by Dubz Dubz wrote:

Originally posted by 72FordGTS 72FordGTS wrote:

My old stand-by oil for stockish vintage engines like yours is Shell Rotella 10W30.  Here in Ontario, Car Quest stocks it in 10W30 grade rather than the more common 15W40.  Rotella works well with flat tappet cams and the robust additive package is good for our not so clean carburetor fed engines.  Plus, there is no need for additional additives.

I typically change the oil on my cars about once a year, just before I park them for winter.

Looking at my local Canadian Tire, the Shell Rotella I'm seeing says it's for diesels.  Is that the oil you're talking about or is there a gasoline vehicle product that's different?

Diesel oil is it. It has high levels of zinc (ZDDP) that flat-tappet cams need. Gas engine oils have much less zinc now because it's bad for catalytic converters, and modern roller lifters don't need it so much. Diesel oil is also significantly cheaper than specialty hot rod or racing oils,  which is something to consider if you leak a lot of oil, and it's easier to find at stores in town.
1972 Gran Torino station wagon, light blue, 351C 2V, prior owner upgraded to 4V (2V heads), originally had a C4 but prior owner changed to C6 for some reason.
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Originally posted by Inkara1 Inkara1 wrote:

Originally posted by Dubz Dubz wrote:

Originally posted by 72FordGTS 72FordGTS wrote:

My old stand-by oil for stockish vintage engines like yours is Shell Rotella 10W30.  Here in Ontario, Car Quest stocks it in 10W30 grade rather than the more common 15W40.  Rotella works well with flat tappet cams and the robust additive package is good for our not so clean carburetor fed engines.  Plus, there is no need for additional additives.

I typically change the oil on my cars about once a year, just before I park them for winter.

Looking at my local Canadian Tire, the Shell Rotella I'm seeing says it's for diesels.  Is that the oil you're talking about or is there a gasoline vehicle product that's different?

Diesel oil is it. It has high levels of zinc (ZDDP) that flat-tappet cams need. Gas engine oils have much less zinc now because it's bad for catalytic converters, and modern roller lifters don't need it so much. Diesel oil is also significantly cheaper than specialty hot rod or racing oils,  which is something to consider if you leak a lot of oil, and it's easier to find at stores in town.


Yes, like Inkara says it is a diesel oil, but it still meets the older API specs for gasoline engines.  It used to be listed as a fleet oil, ie able to use in both gasoline and diesel fleets.  However, with the gasoline specs changing for environmental concerns, they could not longer make Rotella meet the newer API gasoline specs.  It last met the SJ specs, so well above any requirements our old engines need.  The boutique oils like Lucas would work too, but you pay a lot more and I doubt they'd be any better for a stockish 351W.  YMMV.
Vince

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Thanks folks, found the Rotella 10W-30 at my local Canadian Tire.

The Torino now has fresh oil, a first in years :D
1974 Gran Torino in flat black 351W/C6
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Two and a half years later i can confirm that the rotella diesel oil is a good fit for our carbbed '70s V8s. Since my misadventures with the inexpensive store brand 10w40 I run the 15w40 diesel oil in the race car. It is designed for more rugged use as my usage is.
'73 Torino Stock Car
'71 Mustang Stock Car
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