Last weekend I picked up the car that will soon become my daily driver. 73 Dart, 225 w/ac and 36K original miles.

She ran GREAT even over the two mountains between Baltimore and my home in Western MD. A little valve noise. I think they need adjusting, but the car had plenty of power and ran great.

Not knowing when the last oil change was it is one of the maint items I want to do before driving her too much. I did a search on oil and got a zillion results.

Seems like Dan likes 5w 30. I've always run 10w 30. Also saw where Ted was getting better mileage with 4 qts instead of 5, w/ less windage. I was also wondering about the flat tappets - no zinc issue.

Can somone reccomend a brand and oil weight that will put my poor little mind at rest?

Thanks all,

Chris E

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-76 Cordoba, 360 4bbl
-68 Valiant, 273 2bbl
-67 Dart /6 4bbl, Leaning Tower of Power!!!

What temps are you seeing in MD?

You can't go wrong with Valvoline. Napa's own brand is less expensive and is private labeled for them by Ashland, Valvoline is Ashlands brand and trademark.

I have never seen more crud in engines than those run on Penzoil or Quaker State. It is the high paraffin content that makes them both good and bad. Good for lubrication, bad for keeping things clean inside.

It's going to depend on max. and min. temps. 10-30 would be best all around, but during the really cold months 5-30 might be better. I would not run 5-30 in an older car if you are seeing outside temps above about 60 degrees. Even though a 5-30 and 10-30 "should" be the same weight by the numbers when hot, they really are not. As the additives break down the 5-30 will get even thinner. When it dips below 20, I would look at using the 5-30. If the car is never parked out side or cold started below about 20 then I would just use the 10-30.

Doc, this time of year I would say we swing from 45 to 15 degrees or so.

in the summer anwhere from about 70 to 100.

Thanks!

Chris

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-76 Cordoba, 360 4bbl
-68 Valiant, 273 2bbl
-67 Dart /6 4bbl, Leaning Tower of Power!!!

10w-30. lived in leonardtown for a little bit. get oil high in zinc/diesel rating for flat tappet cams. search oil/ flat tappet on here for info. ron

10W30 in an older engine, 5W30 in a brand new one. Use a good filter (Purolator L30001, Wix 51515, NAPA Gold 1515 — not Fram) and five quarts, not four, of a reputable brand of oil. I like Valvoline fine.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

With the lower quality oils of today, sometimes your better off running 20w50 if you have an aftermarket cam.

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1963 Dodge Dart -225 Slant 6, 904, 2.76's, 18.84 @ 73
1970 Nova 12.53@108
1970 Bug 15.38@87

I wouldn't run a 20w50 except as a temporary measure to get an otherwise worn out engine past the last few miles before a proper overhaul. There are numerous reasons already discussed at length. It can be useful to use a diesel rated oil such as Delo or Rotella in certain conditions. In a stock engine in good condition there's really no need for anything exotic.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

No, today's oils are not "lower quality", and 20w50 is definitely not advisable unless your engine is so worn that it won't maintain acceptable pressure with a lighter grade.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Rotella SAE 30 over here - 40 in Summer if temps is high

Rarely under 0 C in winter. and then only at night, summers up to 48 C

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Regards,
Fanie Gerber
It's never junk, it's just a part you're not currently using

http://www.valiant50.co.za
Just say I own a few Mopars

That's pretty much the way things are here in the Phoenix area only our seasons are reversed. Winter here when it's summer there.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.