Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

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Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

February 17, 2014, 06:55:47 PM

Just wondering what oil is best for the 88 sport with 5.0. I had full synthetic before my last oil change, and then switched to synthetic blend ... Is that bad for the engine ? I did hear that you should keep full synthetic in there but my last mechanic said so get it out of there and put the "blend" in.

Should I switch back to full synthetic ?

Thanks for any help

Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

Reply #1 – February 17, 2014, 07:37:07 PM

I have run both. To me, a good syn blend will do the trick depending on the brand. In my Cougar, I run syn because it's a roller. In my wife's Benz, I run a syn blend.

Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

Reply #2 – February 17, 2014, 07:52:22 PM

Was my switch to synthetic blend from full synthetic safe? Is it okay now to switch back to full synthetic ?

Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

Reply #3 – February 17, 2014, 08:57:15 PM

I run whatevers cheap and haven't had any issues. where its a roller motor, its not picky on oil if its stock. I generally run 10w-40 since I have higher mileage and live where it gets cold. most people run 10w-30. Motor craft sells 10w-30 synthetic blend if your worried about it.

Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

Reply #4 – February 18, 2014, 01:35:24 PM

Quote from: Gary3072;429054

Just wondering what oil is best for the 88 sport with 5.0. I had full synthetic before my last oil change, and then switched to synthetic blend ... Is that bad for the engine ? I did hear that you should keep full synthetic in there but my last mechanic said so get it out of there and put the "blend" in.

Should I switch back to full synthetic ?

Thanks for any help

Get a new mechanic, obviously he knows nothing about oils...

For the most part synthetic will give better low temp starting and the ability to run longer drains... Now if you are going to change oil every 3K mi don't bother with synthetic(even Dino is good for at least 4.5K these days), for the most part off the shelf synthetic will protect your engine for 7500K mi plus in normal driving... I change my two Grand Marquis once a year and log around 5-8Kmi on each...

As far as blends most are nothing special, if it contains 15-20% synthetic it can be labeled blend...

So what to use??? Well there is no such thing as one oil fits all applications... But if you have a fairly tight engine(doesn't burn large amount of oil) and want to go for longer drains, a high mileage, 5W-30 synthetic is hard to beat in a older roller 5.0...

If you have a flat tappet cam 5.0, Rotella 10W-30 with it's higher zinc level is a good choice... If it's a leaker/burner a high mileage 10W-40 is probably best...

For a new engine I was going to beat like a red headed step child, M1 0W-40 would be my choice... That will be in my 331...

Of course there are high $$$ boutique oils that claim everything from reduced wear to improved shag, but unless one is running a competition engine, most are a waste of money for street driven engines...

One last thing, Heavy Duty and most high mileage plus many xw-40 oils still have a decent amount of zinc compared to the 5w-20/30 types... Takes a little searching to find the PDS to know exactly what's in them...

Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

Reply #5 – February 18, 2014, 02:34:11 PM

In my Thunderbird I run Mobile1 10W30 and a Motorcraft FL-1A filter. I drive my Thunderbird about 1-2K miles a year and store it over the winter. I change the oil and filter in the spring before driving season starts, so once a year. Most 5.0s will do great on any kind of 10W30.

Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

Reply #6 – February 18, 2014, 02:46:46 PM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50;429082

Now if you are going to change oil every 3K mi don't bother with synthetic(even Dino is good for at least 4.5K these days), for the most part off the shelf synthetic will protect your engine for 7500K mi plus in normal driving.../QUOTE]

This is all there is to say. If doing 3k mile changes, any oil is fine. If you want extended drain intervals, use a blend or full synthetic.

I used to do an oil change, then filter change and topoff at 3k miles, then filter change and topoff at 6k miles, then full change again at 10k miles. 10k miles with Amsoil 10W30 and Motorcraft filters for under $40 - about $40 a year in oil changes. Before switching I'd do $20-25 3k oil changes with conventional oil. Switching kept my oil filtration the same, but I don't waste as much oil and I save a little bit of money. I could have extended the drain intervals much further, but a full change every year is good.

As for the last two years - I've changed oil maybe 4 times and gone under 20 miles. After the last synthetic, a few conventional oil changes to make sure nothing was left in the motor after a head swap. Why waste good synthetic for flushing everything out - switching does not harm anything. I didn't want a drop of coolant to touch a single bearing surface.

Best oil for 88 Tbird Sport (5.0) ?

Reply #7 – February 25, 2014, 07:56:02 PM

My only thought about synthetic is finding the leaks in an old engine...dino seems to leak less in old gasket engines. Now a fresh rebuilt motor i would use full synthetic or blend....just my $.02

Travis