Author Topic: What is the new recommended engine oil of choice for our old style rides.  (Read 2144 times)

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cleandan

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Hello all, I am working on some original Shelby engines and am wondering what is the 2021 oil of choice?
The engines in question are stored in a climate controlled building, driven on a somewhat regular occasion, but otherwise sit on display.
GT350's
GT500's
Small block Cobra
Big block Cobra....pretty much the gamut of options from the era.

If you have any technical data to back up your oil of choice, even better.
Thanks and have a great day.
« Last Edit: April 25, 2021, 10:55:41 AM by cleandan »

cleandan

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76 views and not a single response?
I find the lack of any useful information odd for this website.

Gaugster

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Oil threads are best suited for the winter months.  ;D It's Spring where I am. Maybe describe the internals more? Are these all flat tappet cams? Stock oil pumps? What are you looking for as a oil change interval? Once a season or based on mileage / months?
John - '68 Cougar XR7 390 FE (X-Code) 6R80 AUTO

shady

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FWIW, I've been using 15w40 diesel oil in my old stuff. Some with a half pint of MMO mixed in and some with a small bottle of STP depending on how tight the engine is. Of coarse, they are all FEs.
What goes fast doesn't go fast long'
What goes fast takes your money with it.
So I'm slow & broke, what went wrong?
2021 FERR cool FE Winner
2022 FERR cool FE Winner
2023 FERR cool FE Winner

frnkeore

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A lot of it, depends on the type cam used. FT needs ZDDP and <300 lb springs for break in. You can add higher pressure springs, after the initial break in but, you need to keep the ZDDP, long term.
Frank

manofmerc

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This isn't a new oil but for my drag car and comet street car both with sft cams Valvoline vr1 has served me well .For the f250 390 with another sft cam I use the shell truck oil with a bottle of howards additive . The Valvoline vr1 has worked for me the drag car has over 400 lbs of open spring pressure and the cam and lifters are fine .Doug

BattlestarGalactic

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My .02

I run Val 20w50 VR1 in everything old(everything is flat tappet).  Like many, my stuff sits in a garage for 6 months out of the year due to snow/cold.  For the last 30 yrs no issues ever.  I don't change it before winter, many times I don't change oil in the hot rods for a couple years just due to lack of mileage.  No problems.  It sits all winter, I crank it over to get things lubed and fire it up and go.  The wagon does get a yearly change in the spring.


I've heard the "never let old oil sit in a vehicle because it is corrosive and can eat bearings".  Well, I'm screwed then   ???
I had a fellow at my work that would change the oil in his car before he parked it all winter, then AGAIN before he fired it up in the spring.   Whatever floats your boat.

You know the adage.....Opinions are like....um, well you know.
Larry


sixty9cobra

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I am using Mobile 15-50 was going to try Amsoil 10-40 or 20-50 I like the higher oil pressure with the 20-50. I am running a 700 lift roller cam not sure I need a lot of zinc.

e philpott

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Valvoline VR1 10W30 for me

CJBIRD

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Valvoline Vr1 20W-50 in both my 427 and 428CJ. They both love it
63 1/2 Galaxie 500 XL(Z car)-427 8v/4spd
69 Falcon- 428CJ/4spd

cleandan

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Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate the input.
Many years ago I did a lot of research on which oil to use.

One thing I learned about the oils revolves around the MSDS sheets and the intervals between recertification and verification....Some oil makesr get certified with a certain mix, then change and you will not know until the new sheets come out, or you do analysis of your own.

The engines in question are stock builds.
1965 Shelby GT350 (289)
1966 Shelby GT350 (289)
1967 Shelby GT500 (428)
1968 Shelby GT500 (428)
1969 Shelby GT500 (428)
1965 Cobra Roadster (289)
1967 Cobra Roadster (427)

427LX

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Valvoline 10w30 VR 1 non synthetic race oil. Been using it for 11 yrs. now in my 427 Windsor.

Rory428

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I have been using Brad Penn Penngrade 10/30 in my FE and SB Fords race engines, which are flat tappet solid lifter cams, and now in my solid flat tappet 428 in my 59. Never had any cam/lifter issues, and everything always looks great. My new SBF has Morel hyd. roller lifters, but I will continue using the Brad Penn in this engine as well. My machinist buddy has been using the Brad Penn in his solid roller, high RPM Super Stock engines, and he says that he has never had the pushrod ends look so good in his 9000 +RPM engines, as they did once he started using the Brad Penn.
1978 Fairmont,FE 427 with 428 crank, 4 speed Jerico best of 9.972@132.54MPH 1.29 60 foot
1985 Mustang HB 331 SB Ford, 4 speed Jerico, best of 10.29@128 MPH 1.40 60 foot.
1974 F350 race car hauler 390 NP435 4 speed
1959 Ford Meteor 2 dr sedan. 428 Cobra Jet, 4 speed Toploader. 12.54@ 108 MPH