Questions about oil change

[Crew4991]

OP do your own maintenance so that way you know it is done correctly, using a good filter and full synthetic oil. This is not going to impact your warranty.

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[MAT1955]

@dtillsstang ...... I say this just for the sake of "maybe it's a bit interesting". Quite a few years back we were fooling around on the dyno with a 350 that we had stroked to a 383. It was a long weekend and we had some time. There had always been good-natured shop "ball busting" about what oils were best. My grand father opined that the most important function of an oil was its ability to protect the engine's internals in super high temperature flashes - which he felt were common in the ever increasing higher compression "family" engines. He opined that these temperature flashes damaged engines over time, if the oil didn't protect them. He said you could tell an oil was struggling if, over a number of hot runs, it lost oil pressure (viscosity failure). So, with a few beers and a number of brands of oil we had a family oil shoot-out. Using the 383 we ran a number of oils to red hot about 10 times each. To everyone's surprise the Ford Motorcraft oil "rebounded" the best after multiple hot runs. We then ran the Motorcraft super hot another 10 times. It still held its oil pressure. BTW we measured the oil pressure on a highly detailed professional engine builder's pressure gauge. Years later I read a report that Ford Motorcraft used superior refined base oils and among the best VI (viscosity index) improvers available. These VI improvers form protective long chain polymers when the engine is threatened with flash temperature strikes (A/C on in stalled traffic on a very hot day). The worse the spike the better the Motorcraft oil performed......maybe a bit of useless trivia but many family members use the Motorcraft Full Synthetic in their Chevy and Dodge vehicles. BTW Motorcraft Full Synthetic meets GM specs. Over the years i have "messed around" with all manner of oils. Unless the oil was for pure racing (for that I like Kendall racing) then my FIRST choice is always Motorcraft FULL synthetic.

 

[dusman59]

Document by taking pictures of milage and items used as well as proceedure. Backup to cloud or more than digital source.

 

[ChitownStang]

Probably have done 25 oil changes in my garage on ramps over the last 10 years and last 3 gens of Coyote's. This Dark Horse belly pan about killed me last Saturday...LOL
Full Synthetic Motorcraft Oil , always!

 

[MAT1955]

@ChiTownStang26 ....... yeah, the belly pan and side pans are really loved - I say sarcastically.

 

[steveo1960]

@ChiTownStang26 ....... yeah, the belly pan and side pans are really loved - I say sarcastically.

Me too.
And like an idiot, during my first oil change I wasn't paying close attention so I not only removed the belly pan, I removed the shield in front of it as well and that one is a real PITA to line up and re-install. I can be taught though

 

[LouG]

Me too.
And like an idiot, during my first oil change I wasn't paying close attention so I not only removed the belly pan, I removed the shield in front of it as well and that one is a real PITA to line up and re-install. I can be taught though

Ditto. I'm even worse, a "trained" mechanic.

 

[dtillsstang]

Well got everything I needed today. Don’t trust myself on over tightening so grabbed a acdelco digital torque wrench off Amazon that was on sale, even grabbed a Milwaukee cordless ratchet for all the bolts, and to add a lip.
Only thing I’m worried about is tightening the filter, but will be watching videos to get an idea of how tight they do it. Kinda nervous but I think it will be fine, giving myself a lot of time to do it. Really appreciate everyone’s help and reccomendations.

 

[ChitownStang]

Well got everything I needed today. Don’t trust myself on over tightening so grabbed a acdelco digital torque wrench off Amazon that was on sale, even grabbed a Milwaukee cordless ratchet for all the bolts, and to add a lip.
Only thing I’m worried about is tightening the filter, but will be watching videos to get an idea of how tight they do it. Kinda nervous but I think it will be fine, giving myself a lot of time to do it. Really appreciate everyone’s help and reccomendations.

Glove and hand tighten as tight as my wrist will go. Works great

 

[GrabThatBlue]

Well got everything I needed today. Don’t trust myself on over tightening so grabbed a acdelco digital torque wrench off Amazon that was on sale, even grabbed a Milwaukee cordless ratchet for all the bolts, and to add a lip.
Only thing I’m worried about is tightening the filter, but will be watching videos to get an idea of how tight they do it. Kinda nervous but I think it will be fine, giving myself a lot of time to do it. Really appreciate everyone’s help and reccomendations.

Not everybody has the same hand power, but generally, hand tighten it once. Let go, feel if it's tight. And then give it a little bit more hand tighen power. Just a little bit more than your normal hand tighten strenght.

 

[steveo1960]

Ditto. I'm even worse, a "trained" mechanic.

LOL !!
FWIW I'm an engineer... Don't blame me for starters installed under intake manifolds as I'm an EE.....Hahaha! We all make mistakes that's what keeps things interesting.

 

[MAT1955]

@dtillsstang ..... about the oil filter. With a wipe of oil on the rubber gasket the filter will seat easily. Turn it until it is snug then (some say another 1/4 turn) I just tighten it a bit further. You'll know as it won't want to turn anymore. Don't use a filter wrench to tighten it as that will "roll-up" the rubber gasket. You will be fine. Good for you!

 

[MAT1955]

@steveo1960 ..... don't feel bad. I believe it was a Steeda video where they did an oil change on their first 2024 GT. When he thought he had finished he had installed the front of the belly pan so that the leading edges were sticking out and it would have been blown off the car - which to his credit he admitted then had to uninstall it and re-install it....and that was in their showroom garage on a lift!

 

[steveo1960]

@steveo1960 ..... don't feel bad. I believe it was a Steeda video where they did an oil change on their first 2024 GT. When he thought he had finished he had installed the front of the belly pan so that the leading edges were sticking out and it would have been blown off the car - which to his credit he admitted then had to uninstall it and re-install it....and that was in their showroom garage on a lift!

Thanks!
It's encouraging to know I'm in good company !!!
it's always great to learn from mistakes !


As for oil filter, others have offered excellent advice but add one more check and that is to make sure the previous oil filter gasket ie: the rubber ring, isn't left on the car.

 

[robvas]

@dtillsstang ..... about the oil filter. With a wipe of oil on the rubber gasket the filter will seat easily.

Ford says not to do that for some reason now...

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