Back in the old days when a motor got old going with a thicker oil would/could help extend its life and make it quieter The old pushrods.. The modular engine was built to last running the 5-20 or 5-30 oil. I wont ever put anything in my crank case again that is not 5-20 or 5-30. Ford studied this stuff. They actually have engineering tests and what not. If it made the engine last longer using thicker oil they would be all for that. Some dude with an opinion is not smarter then the actual research thats been done..

 

I dont understand why people do this. The original poster asked a question... Has anyone ran an oil with a higher viscosity than the 5w20 that Ford recommends and had adverse problems directly related to using a different oil than Ford recommends. Clearly he is aware of the fact that Ford recommends a 5w20 oil. I have used a higher viscosity oil once I reached high mileage and listed the reasoning behind it. I had no problems with a higher viscosity oil so I commented on my experience. Why waste your time telling someone what they already know. Why tell him "Ford recommends a 5w20 thats the only oil you should use and the only oil I will ever use." Thats not answering his question at all. I realize Ford has engineers who study what the optimal oil would be for the engines they built. But these are studies they have done on a brand new motor. How many studies were done on optimal engine oil after 100 or 200 thousand miles. I would be willing to bet none. Bottom line yes MIKE 04 GT I ran a higher viscosity oil than Ford recommended and had no adverse reaction or problem that was directly related to using said oil.

 

Yea don't bother, unless you feeling like digging yourself a hole. These are SOHC motors, -modulars. What your referring to is a push rod engine. You can thicken the oil with those, - some even add sawdust just before they sell it, - it quiets them down lol. Like I said before, -we use to run 30w in everything back in the day.

I've already explained what happens to these. I hate re-writing myself.

Any way yea, - remember when they use to smoke a bit once the rings wore lol. That won't happen with these, - unless you totally fubar things up. Whomever was telling you a common fact about a different type engine.

 

Bottom line, - your getting mad over something you know nothing about(obviously). No ones getting upset but you. I'm attempting to explain since you have a problem with doing things correctly.
You would get more from this with an open mind. Or one that thinks straight.

 

Exactly. That's it right there .

 

I'm not upset. There isnt a need to be upset. Yeah I remember the days when you car would smoke cause the O-rings were shot so you just thickened the oil. Perhaps what I contributed didnt pertain to modular motors compared to push rods. All I am saying is obviously he is aware that they call for 5w he is asking if anyone who has run 10w had any problems. I have and didnt have problems. Im not trying to argue with you or anyone for that matter. The man asked a question and I gave an answer based on personal experience. I just dont understand why you would come in here and tell him to not do it because ford says not to. He knows that already. I am not closed minded at all. And I realize that there are people on here who have far more experience or knowledge with these vehicles than I do. The facts are this... The man asked if anyone had done this and not had a problem. I have and didnt have a problem. Right or wrong, recommended or not, I did it and gave the reasoning behind it. Whether it pertains to this motor or not is irrelavant.

 

Well, okay I guess ? Did you read what you wrote ?

I think I know what your trying to say. Yea, you answered the questiion. Don't forget, everyone has an opinion. You know mine, -I think.

Actually, I really think the OP could care less just from reading his post. It doesn't matter that Ford designs, engineers, and spends a hell of a lot of man hours determining what's works the best in this engine. I mean common, he's using full synthetic (not recommended) and has ran his engines in the past with wrong viscosity oil. And NOW he's questioning it lol. On top of that, he's marinating all that with Lucas products. Lucas products don't belong in a SOHC/DOHC modular lol.

I'm not sure if I'm going for all that miles crap he posted up either, not totally, but yeah, okay.. Like I said these engines are pretty resilient, but if you purposely go against the grain because of the reasons I heard so far, - your going to cut that engines life short. Period and eventually.
These engines will run a very long time, - Ford really did something great here. I know, they're definitely not perfect as most of us know lol, but the two valves are longevity engines for sure. They test the crap out of the oil lol. that Quality control behind and backing what's recommended, it's sort of crazy not to take advantage of that. You guys are nuts lol. IMO of course.

Just use the fricken blend, it's cheap as hell and everything else you need (4the CC) is included.

And common, who blames there problems on oil. Have you ever heard of anyone actually pushing the blame there? Not to many get the oil analysis anymore. AND keep up with it. Ford does that for yuh and that's just a small part of what they do for the consumer to stay on top of things.


All the same, good luck fellas

 

I would like to answer to some comments in various posts.
First the oil reccomendation is not based on a new motor.
Here is the general way it's done.
Many motors are put on life test running to equal well over 100k miles.
The oil is analyzed for metals and other material wear accumulations vs time.
Any materials that shows are identified to the specific parts that wore by tearing down the engine for inspection and measurements.
Next, consideration is given to one or both actions.
To change the parts composition, change the oil formulation or both then the testing begins again to check the results.
When the average life of the motor is attained by oil formulation and weight, the change interval is established to meet at least the min warrenty period plus.
Bottom line is too many people think there is something better but don't really know or able to prove it.
Those people try to do life testing all over again by using other oils and end up with no proof trying to second guess factoy engineering.
Use the reccomneded oil, filter and do the change intervals.
.
If it makes any difference, I have never used any but 5w20 blend for 188,000 miles. The motor runs as new. This seems to back up the factory reccomendation because I can't prove differently with this kind of result.
BTW, there are many items involved in final oil formulation such as gasket and seal life, rubber seal life, cast iron, alum wear rates, chain guide life, gear and oil pump wear etc so it's more complex than one might be thinking.
Good luck.

 

Jbrew its all good buddy. I understand where your coming from and I am pretty sure you get where im coming from. Some people are going to do whatever the hell they want to do regaurdless of what the manufacturer suggests . People will always change things for whatever reason. Oil, rear end fluid, plugs, wires, air filters (K&N) and yes I know your against those too. Whether its to attempt to gain power or efficiency, looks, sounds. Im sure Ford dosent recommended changing their 255/70/16 tire wheels combo to a 37x13.5x20 120lbs setup but people do it all the time.

 

Bluegrass Thanks for the info buddy. I had no idea that the research was so in depth. I was actually waiting for you to comment on this thread. Your comments are always very informative.

 

The concern I would have (IMHO) running a thicker oil in the mod-engines is those with the hydraulic timing chain tensioners.....the thicker oil is going to flow slower and potentially cause issues - ie slower flowing oil=reduced or slower to respond tensioners.

 

I run 15 40 in mine. I ran it all my past 150s with now problems. One had 165k on it with not even an oil leak.

 

I thought 15w40 was more for the diesels.

 

Yep, just wait, the next guy will be using cooking oil.

 

Well 15w40 in these overhead cam motors is absolute abuse.
The use of heavey oils comes from the old school thinking of years ago.
In modern engines the clearences are held close due to the materials used.
This requires the 5w part of the oil on cold climate starts so oil gets to the parts faster.
The 20 part is accounting for the thinning of viscosty as the motor heats.
With close tolerances the thinner oil weight is needed.
There is only so much oil by volume than can fit in any given space and any time.
Oil does two things in that space, it keep metal apart and cools the area.
You can begin to see what disadvantage higher viscosty will be on these required parameters.
Another advantage of lighter weight oil is the pumping losses cause by the oil pump and the fricitional loss causing heat are reduced resulting in less final drag on the motor's power. This has an effect on fuel mileage.
.
Enter a racing application and refer to how many things are oppisite of the above.
In most race engines the RPM and competition intent calls for increased operating clearences to move the lube through at a faster rate mostly for cooling.
Heavier weight oils now have a bit more space in those clearences to move through and drag is less a factor than is engine life, in the short term.
.
Enter a special example of a race application 'and' light weight lube.
4 cycle Go Kart race engnes built from a lawn mower level application of about 3600 rpm to a race level at as high as 7000 rpm and run on either gas or Alky.
Many engines have no oil pump but depend on rod splash dipping into the oil below, to lube everything.
These engine most often use lube that is water thin and never come apart from lack of this lube unless something happens in the course of competition.
The rings are worn and pump oil, a case leak or a dipper break, blowby forces oil out the breather etc.
When failurer occurrs it's often a complete loss of the engine.
The rod heats, melts it's surface, grabs fast to the crank pin, breaks the rod somewhre along it's length and bows out the block where it contacts it.
The bottom line here is to illistrate that oil viscosity is not the answer many think it is.
.
Often race usages is brought to street engines in mistaken belief there is some gains from it.
Todays oils are of such higher quality from the old days and with the engineering that is done to keep a poor reputation from taking root, the mfger competition for sales makes this a very serious thing for them.
Good luck.