[DeTomaso] Clevelands, Redline, & ZDDP

JDeRyke at aol.com JDeRyke at aol.com
Thu Jun 10 14:55:07 EDT 2010


In a message dated 6/9/10 3:21:48 PM, fresnofinches at aol.com writes:

> Blue (early) owners manual said 10W-50
> The red (later) manual had two listings- for temps over 0 degrees C - 
> 20W-50
> (&) for temps under 0 degrees C -  10W-40
> 
What viscosity oil you run depends entirely on what bearing clearances your 
engine has and how you drive. The above is for factory-built 351-Cs which 
likely don't exist anymore. If your engine was rebuilt with tight clearances, 
10W30 will work just fine- as it has in ours since 1991. 'Course we don't 
exceed 6500 rpms either, or lug the engine. If it's worn and/or the 
clearances are more open, thicker oils will be valuable as a 'cushion' as well as for 
lubrication. On worn or rebuilt engines without known clearances, it's a 
guess.... but you won't blow it up with thicker oil. The same cannot be said 
for too-thin oil.... which thins even further if your motor tends to run hot. 

Note- the 'redline' on the tach also more-or-less applies to a 
factory-built stocker so it may not be relevant if you've changed major engine 
components, rear tire diameter, ZF gearing or the like. Mentally adjust according to 
the parts in your personal car and the excess cash in your wallet. My 2¢- J 
DeRyke



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