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  #1  
Old 03-24-2019, 11:13 AM
07Vulcan 07Vulcan is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 55
Default Oil types

Does anyone ever run 10W-30 or 10W-40 in a 2.3 or 2.5 4cyl engine?

Last edited by 07Vulcan; 03-24-2019 at 11:56 AM.
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  #2  
Old 03-25-2019, 09:59 AM
tomw0 tomw0 is offline
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Default Re: Oil types

I have used 10w-30, 10w-40, 20w-40 and 20w-50 in a 2.3. My opinion is, with no source, that the earlier 2.3/2.5 were not designed for 5w-20/5w-30 or 0w-30 type oils. Not that they will do any damage, but the perception is that the viscosity is so light compared to the originally specified lubricants. The 5W and 0W versions were not available at that time, I think. 10W and 20W straight weight were readily available(at least 20W in Indiana back then) for winter use if multi-viscosity was not desired. It took some years before multi-weight oils were accepted as safe to use.
I think 10W-30 was the 'standard' for the 2.3 when it was introduced. I'd have no problems running 10W-xxx or even 20W-xx where I live. It would be a rare day to have temperatures below 10F, even 20F is considered pretty low.
I understand that some of the engine clearances were tightened up as time went on, leading to reasonable use of 0W and 5W products. Older machinery was not as tightly regulated as far as bearing clearances, at least the ones I have fiddled with, so the lighter oils might not provide enough viscosity to generate enough pressure to insure all parts received enough flow. The cam & lifters(supports) are 'at the end of the line' as far as getting lubricant, and enough can leak out in the rod & main bearings with low viscosity oil to reduce the available flow for the top of the cylinder head. Maybe. FWIW. IMO.
tom
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  #3  
Old 03-25-2019, 03:12 PM
07Vulcan 07Vulcan is offline
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Default Re: Oil types

Im thinking of running 10w-30 on the next oil change, i dont think it can hurt anything.
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  #4  
Old 03-25-2019, 05:54 PM
Scrambler82 Scrambler82 is offline
The EDGE
 
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Default Re: Oil types

I have always used 5-20 for all of my Ford engines.

The 5.0L in my older '88 Ranger, didn't like the 10-20, did a lot of clicking, changed back to 5-20 and the clicking went away !

My new engine, 5.0L, in the Jeep, will run 5-20 after the break-in Oil.
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  #5  
Old 03-25-2019, 06:28 PM
07Vulcan 07Vulcan is offline
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Default Re: Oil types

Ive always ran 10w-30 an 40 in everything. Its my first ranger and seeing if they liked it or not.
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  #6  
Old 03-26-2019, 03:41 AM
tomw0 tomw0 is offline
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Default Re: Oil types

Any truly concerned with use of 5W-xx lubricant in older vehicles should check the recommendation that FoMoCo made in the owners manual.
I repeat that I don't think 5W-xx or 0W-xx should be used in older vehicles as low pressure at lower rpms could be the result. The main and rod bearing clearances were a bit looser when those engines were manufactured. Check the manual.
If you want to use 5W-30 instead of 5W-20 in warmer climates/months, the only thing that would happen is that your mpg might be reduced by .03%(or similar), or maybe it was 3%, but I don't think it was that much.
As a note, oil pressure indicates that the pump is supplying more than the galleries and bearing clearances can leak out. If you had perfect oiling, pressure would not be needed, except to overcome friction of flow, and the 'work' it takes to displace the oil already in the bearing clearance.(between journal and bearing surface) With higher viscosity, same temperature, the oil will be a little thicker and thus a bit more reluctant to flow. With larger clearances, the 10W lubricants will start with a bit higher viscosity than would an 0W or 5W based oil. If the lube is too thin, it will flow more readily out from between the journal and bearing, and perhaps not develop a good 'wave' inside. The parts of the bearing, journal and insert, are supposed to never touch in a plain bearing engine. The lubricant keeps them apart except at startup, with the parts riding on a 'wave' of lubricant. FWIW.
tom
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  #7  
Old 03-28-2019, 05:43 PM
Scrambler82 Scrambler82 is offline
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Default Re: Oil types

I switched over to Mobile 1 a while back and run the equivalent of the 5-20 and have had no problems.

Unless there are special circumstances stick to OEM Spec.
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  #8  
Old 05-26-2019, 11:50 PM
Dustyt90XLT Dustyt90XLT is offline
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Default Re: Oil types

Since it was new.. it's a 90 btw.. Castrol GTX up until 100K then switched to high mileage 10W-30.. but I live in TN so our weather doesn't really get too out of hand for the most part

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