Oil questions

[IowaTom]

Guys - Is my early 90s vintage in-line 6 (300 c.i.) a flat tappet engine? I've been using Valvoline VR1 with the extra zinc. Same oil I use in my Studebaker and Rambler for the peace of mind, I guess.

I did a search for oil capacity and get three different answers, from 6 to 7 to 8 qts. and half qts, too.

Can't remember how much I used four or five months ago so thought I might empty a 5 qt jug and see how far up the dipstick I get, with a new filter, of course.

I'm loving my truck, after all the help you guys gave me last fall. Replaced a lot of things and she's a good, dependable vehicle now! Thanks!

[ratdude747]

Yes to flat tappet (I don't think any 300 was roller cammed stock), but I wouldn't sweat the zinc. Capacity is 6 quarts.

(Disclaimer: Opinions on oil are borderline political and such opinions are like buttholes: we all have them and they all stink in a unique way)

My understanding is that once broken in the amount of ZDDP in current oils is more than adequate for flat tappets. The whole reason ZDDP levels were cut back in oil is one of the same reasons they took lead out of gas- Catalytic converters; metal in the exhaust fouls them up. And both of ours have (or at least had in your case?) a more or less modern pair of cats in them (mesh type), meaning they weren't meant to run a heavy amount of zinc in the oil.

I run full synthetic SuperTech 5W-30 in my 300 and change it twice a year- spring and fall. SuperTech (yes, Walmart store brand) is the same as AmazonBasics and Kirkland (Costco)... made by Warren Oil and is a decent oil for the price.

FWIW I never get 6 quarts out on a change (usually it's closer to 3-4 plus the filter)... in that time it does burn/leak some and I do have to top it off every month or two (the valve and lifter covers are pretty leaky ).

If you care to know, I currently run wix filters (regular, not XP!) that I bought in bulk for my two FL-1A using engines (as Motorcraft hiked their prices recently).

[Rembrant]

I was running Mobil TDT 5w40 in both my flat tappet 302 and 300 when I had them. Not sure what I'm going to run in my yet to be started newly built 302...but it's a roller engine, so I'm not overly concerned about it.

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/our-products/products/mobil-1-turbo-diesel-truck-5w-40

[IowaTom]

I was running Mobil TDT 5w40 in both my flat tappet 302 and 300 when I had them. Not sure what I'm going to run in my yet to be started newly built 302...but it's a roller engine, so I'm not overly concerned about it.

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/our-products/products/mobil-1-turbo-diesel-truck-5w-40

Thank you, Guys!

I also use the Kirkland synthetic in my wife's Kia V6 and do the twice-a-year change.

I'm also a fan of Wix filters. Worked in an auto parts store for a short time and heard horror stories about other filter failures. I believe NAPA claims theirs are made by Wix.

Probably right about the non-worry over zinc... I have used Delo400 & Ro-smella with fine results.

[mat in tn]

Thank you, Guys!

I also use the Kirkland synthetic in my wife's Kia V6 and do the twice-a-year change.

I'm also a fan of Wix filters. Worked in an auto parts store for a short time and heard horror stories about other filter failures. I believe NAPA claims theirs are made by Wix.

Probably right about the non-worry over zinc... I have used Delo400 & Ro-smella with fine results.

as far as filters go, I'm a loyal fl1a user. so far! I say that because lately I have been noticing a bit of lifter rattle on now three engines over the past year. I "feel" like this is due to the oil filter not holding siphon. anti drain back failure. it is as simple as replacing the filter and it stops. that has been my experience so far. still paying attention to this on one 300/6 and two 5.0w. I disregard a little noise if it has been sitting a month. and if it goes away immediately. but 12 hrs. is not good. and when people look over and ask "what's that" it is not good. But a simple filter change fixes it? that is a concern!

[81-F150-Explorer]

as far as filters go, I'm a loyal fl1a user. so far! I say that because lately I have been noticing a bit of lifter rattle on now three engines over the past year. I "feel" like this is due to the oil filter not holding siphon. anti drain back failure. it is as simple as replacing the filter and it stops. that has been my experience so far. still paying attention to this on one 300/6 and two 5.0w. I disregard a little noise if it has been sitting a month. and if it goes away immediately. but 12 hrs. is not good. and when people look over and ask "what's that" it is not good. But a simple filter change fixes it? that is a concern!

There has been changes to the FL-1A as of late.

The Bypass valves were changed around, etc.

What do you guys make of this video?

 

[Gary Lewis]

There has been changes to the FL-1A as of late.

The Bypass valves were changed around, etc.

What do you guys make of this video?

Interesting. Looks like they found ways to make it less expensive to manufacture, but added more filter media. So I would think that the new one is slightly better. And if Ford puts them on all of their new vehicles they obviously think they are good.

[Rembrant]

There has been changes to the FL-1A as of late.

The Bypass valves were changed around, etc.

What do you guys make of this video?

I don't know really, but I've been a bit spooked about counterfeit Ford parts and such that are out there. If I do need to buy Ford stuff, I'll get it from the local dealer and pay extra for it. I don't trust Amazon or EBay anymore for stuff like that.

[Gary Lewis]

There has been changes to the FL-1A as of late.

The Bypass valves were changed around, etc.

What do you guys make of this video?

I don't know really, but I've been a bit spooked about counterfeit Ford parts and such that are out there. If I do need to buy Ford stuff, I'll get it from the local dealer and pay extra for it. I don't trust Amazon or EBay anymore for stuff like that.

That's a very good point. I've gotten counterfeit things from Amazon, although not Motorcraft - as far as I know. But I don't doubt that they are out there, and Amazon and eBay would be the place to find them.

[ratdude747]

There has been changes to the FL-1A as of late.

The Bypass valves were changed around, etc.

What do you guys make of this video?

I don't know really, but I've been a bit spooked about counterfeit Ford parts and such that are out there. If I do need to buy Ford stuff, I'll get it from the local dealer and pay extra for it. I don't trust Amazon or EBay anymore for stuff like that.

Wally world still sells Motorcraft FL-1A's (and where I was getting mine). But, they came into short supply when COVID hit and when they came back into decent stock several months ago, the price doubled from $5 a filter to $10 a filter.

I considered them and Wix to be evenly matched, and before Wix was $6 a filter (and still is), so aside from a NOS 90's FL-1A I found at goodwill for $2 (which I consider to be a display piece, not a consumable I'd actually use), I decided buying a lot of 12 Wix filters for IIRC about $75 shipped off eBay was the way to go. My 1995 Ranger's 4.0 also uses them, so such a bulk purchase should work out in my case.