i'm a little confused... oil question

[Cpt.Fred]

once again, sorry. search engine doesn't accept "oil" as a word...

i'm planning an oil change the next days.

what SAE are you using? my manual states SAE 30 for normal 32F+ driving.

since i have oil pressure issues when the engine temp gets above 180F,

i was thinking maybe trying SAE 40... i hope the engine will leave less oil on the ground afterwards.

what do you think?

do i have to pull my filter from that tin can thingy on the driver's side of the engine? can i wash and reuse it, i guess not?

thanks!

best,

fred

[Robert Horne]

Many people have different preferences as to what type of oil to use. I use 10W40 myself. The "tin can thing" needs to be cleaned out and have a new filter put in. You may find a bit of sludge in the tin can cannister.

[Cpt.Fred]

ok, thanks!

bypass filter, is that the correct word? (instead of tin can thing...)

i thought all the something W something oils would not be healthy for the engine, but oil is an area of expertise that i sadly do not know too much about.

someone told me they would keep the particles floating and circulating through the engine over and over again, instead of letting them come to rest in the bottom of the oil pan.

if i use SAE40, is there any chance of having too much oil pressure then in the lower temp areas?

[Young Ed]

I also run 10w40 in my flatheads. Now the danger of particles I think you are refering to is using detergent oil in an engine that hasnt had it before. That it will pickup all the crud in the pan and circulate that. Do you know how clean your oil pan is?

[bigsmel53]

go to motor oil guide.com and you should find the SAE about oil. Yes always change thh filter when changing the oil. drain the oil first, leave the drain plug out then change the filter in the canaster. You should get some additional oil out. Install a new filter then fill with oil. Note if the oil pressure is dropping when it gets warm to hot I would say you have worn internial engine parts/ bearings, oil pump? Going to a non detergent oil may bring up the pressure???. Nothing will provide a good result if parts are worn internially. I straight oil has less vescosity then a multi oil. Going to a heavier oil will bring up the pressure some but then again heavier oil takes more horse power to move it. As for going to a detergent oil in a non detergent oil/ rule is that the detergent oil will remove the oil glazes off the bearings and what not and create excesive clearance in the bearings causing the oil pressure to drop. Plus creating more bad things to circulate in the oil system causing more excesive wear on parts.This is my thoughts to keep it short so hope it helps. Good luck.

Edited June 19, 2010 by bigsmel53

[Cpt.Fred]

ok, i'll check motor oil guide.com, thank you!

ed, i don't know too much about the engine,

i am just getting to know it better at the moment.

haven't taken the pan off, since i am to a certain point a fan of "never change a running system"...

i might have to do it soon, though, oil loss is getting more serious and the front and back seals.

first thing for now is drain it, change the oil, and adjust valves.

then afterwards i have to order some parts and i guess i'll go shopping for some engine gaskets by then, next month. and a filter, i do not get them here.

were did you order, i guess andy b. has them?

[Jim Saraceno]

New or heavier oil probably won't do anything for leaks.

Most of your seals and other engine parts are available at NAPA.

[BobT-47P15]

I use Valvoline 10W-40 in the Plymouth. It still has some leaks - has

not caused any problems otherwise.

[desoto1939]

After my engine onthe 39 Desoto was rebuild I started using 10W40 oil inthe car. I have had this inthe engine now for 23+ years and do not have an issue. When I change my oil I also add in an oil additive that has the zinc and phosphorus similar to ZDDP. Since the engine had been rebuilt I went to the 10W40 oil. If the engine is an older engine and has not been rebuilt then I would stay with the single weight oil w30.

I also have the bypass filter that has the throwawy insert filter. When using multi weight oil is has been recommended to always have a filter because of the foaming action and also because of the cleaning action of the oil.

I use an AC canister oil filter an I use a NAPA1010 filter inthe unit. When you take the top of the canister remove the filter and then use a meat baster to remove the excess oil that is sitting the unit. I then clean out the unit with a rag to get any crude out of the unit. Insert the new filter and add some oil inthe canister.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com