My 73 302 has about 4-5k on the reman motor and after the break in I've only used Castrol 10w 40 for every oil change. What's the benefits, if any, on switching to synthetic oil ? I've heard lots of comments and concerns using synthetics. BTW, I have great oil pressure from day one and the oil is clean when changing it. Thanks guys.
In pretty much every measurable category, Synthetic oil performs better than conventional oil. However, regularly changed modern conventional oil is so good these days many people feel synthetic oil is not really required. Most of us do not do cold starts (and I mean well below freezing weather) with our Mavs and Comets. If you do, you would be a nut case not to use synthetic oil. Also, if you use the engine under high loads such as towing at 3500 rpm like the modern Hemi and 6 liter Chevy are designed to do, you would be doing yourself a big favour to use synthetic oil. If all you are doing is cruising to the local A & W, conventional is just fine. Just my two cents. Others? MD
I know engine oils have changed over the last 10-20 years, the big change is the removal of the zinc which our flat tappet cams need. Run a conventional oil and add a zinc additive like ZDDP like I do.
I run synthetic oil in three cars , and one of our trucks is being converted from SB Chevy to an LS motor and it will be synthetic for that one since I tow a trailer sometimes with a pretty good load. I'll be installing synthetic oil when the Install work is completed. ( Royal Purple on the cars..) Cometized (Chip)
Now I see no need for synthetics since I just drive mine for pleasure. I may however get a zinc additive.
for myself ive used full syn for about 15yrs now. ive never had a problem. used it in my 70 302 stating when it had about 40k on it. used it in my 06 liberty since new. now ise it in my 70 maverick 200cid. no problems with anything. the good part is i run it 5k miles before changing so i almost get double the miles of a regular oil change. comes out cheaper for me.
No oils, REPEAT, no oils have zinc removed... Yes it's been reduced, but still at levels of the 1960s... Any stockish engine will be fine on a off the shelf oil... For a fresh engine, especially with high spring pressures, a ZDDP additive is a good idea... In modern FI engines changing synthetic at less than 6000-7000 miles is throwing away good oil, I usually run around 7500... In our '07 Grand Marquis I've run the Mobil 1 Extended performance as much as 11,000 miles and a similar distance in the '98 we have(actually has less miles than '07)... That oil is stated to be good for 15K miles... Neither suffered any ill effects, valvetrain(cams and followers) looks like new... Would I run a carbureted engine 10K on any synthetic?? NO Chance...
