what oil to use weight and brand detergent or non detergent

[POPTOP]

I have a 218 that has never had a oil filter installed I will be installing one soon .but I want to change oil and start it up  will be putting filter in a month or so I was wondering what oil to use thanks

[cavisco1]

I love oil questions. 

[Reg Evans]

When you drain the oil stick your finger in the drain hole and feel what's in the bottom of the pan.  If there's a layer of silt use non-detergent. If no layer of silt use detergent oil.

[Jeff Balazs]

I think the most commonly used weight of oil is 10w-40 in these engines. The detergent or non detergent question stems from the propensity for sludge build up in this engine design. I cleaned my oil pan and have a working filter so I have elected to use detergent oil. So far ...so good. If I had no filter and did not know what was in the system I would probably go non detergent.

 

Hth, Jeff

[austinsailor]

We just thrashed about everything known to man on this subject!  Take a look here:

 

http://p15-d24.com/topic/41108-marvel-mystery-oil/?hl=zinc#entry437086

[NiftyFifty]

I use 30 or 40 weight in mine, it never sees cold weather and a lot of highway miles. I also add zddp additive as I believe it's a must in old engines like these...others may disagree, but for a few bucks it's peace of mind and can't hurt anything. I also refuse to buy cheap oil...and point on contention on here...but quality to me is important, and cheap oil screams cheap additives, and poorer standards in my books.