The Ford Torino Page Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Powertrain Specific Forum > Small Block Forum
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Oil selection for 351W not driven much
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Oil selection for 351W not driven much
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Dubz View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 26-April-2020
Location: Manitoba
Status: Offline
Points: 67 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dubz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Oil selection for 351W not driven much
    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
Back to Top
72FordGTS View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
GTS.org Admin

Joined: 06-September-2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6780 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72FordGTS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-June-2023 at 5:11AM
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

1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car

GTS.org Admin
Back to Top
Greg73Oregon View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23-February-2021
Location: Roseville, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 232 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Greg73Oregon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19-June-2023 at 5:34AM
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
Back to Top
Dubz View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 26-April-2020
Location: Manitoba
Status: Offline
Points: 67 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dubz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20-June-2023 at 11:22AM
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
Back to Top
Dubz View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 26-April-2020
Location: Manitoba
Status: Offline
Points: 67 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dubz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20-June-2023 at 11:25AM
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
1974 Gran Torino in flat black 351W/C6
Back to Top
Inkara1 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 17-November-2021
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 515 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Inkara1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20-June-2023 at 12:57PM
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.
Back to Top
72FordGTS View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
GTS.org Admin

Joined: 06-September-2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6780 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72FordGTS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20-June-2023 at 2:13PM
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

1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car

GTS.org Admin
Back to Top
Dubz View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 26-April-2020
Location: Manitoba
Status: Offline
Points: 67 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dubz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-June-2023 at 6:18AM
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
Back to Top
RacerJames View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 25-April-2022
Location: 86401
Status: Offline
Points: 128 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RacerJames Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-November-2025 at 2:32AM
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
351C powered
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.06
Copyright ©2001-2023 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.070 seconds.