Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance 2.5L running 5W-20.

Even at a 30 degree angle (yes I agree not sideways as I just went and looked) it still will drain the majority of the oil from the filter.

Also there have been numerous documented cases of people running oil filters without an anti-drainback and having the typical noisy startup caused by lack of initial oiling. That's is extra damage & wear to the engine that does not need to happen if a proper filter is used.

As for the FRAM filters. Again it's well documented their filtering ability is on the bottom of the filter range and their track record for bursting casings and having the filter media (which is just "hot glued" on!) detach for the filter base makes for several major strikes against them. I do not fault their marketing ability, just the filtering and reliability.

As for your comments about wasting your time with someone beneath you. My mistaking the angle for the Duratec filter with the wife's Cavalier is a simple mistake. However your repetitive and blatant errors in this post are obscene. We may both be, have been (whatever), ASE certified or what not, but don't even compare yourself to me in any way. I most certainly would not compare myself to you.

So what is the verdict on the optimum oil weight and filter for OUR cars. Just curious.

5/30 oil with Motorcraft Fl 820S oil filter.

Hey, back to the old viscosity debate.
My $0.02
Some guys here agree with me but there are guys that feel strongly that even in �??sporting driving�?� conditions, the OEM 5-30 is best for modern �??small clearance�?� engines.
I have gotten great results using SAE 40 to 50 single and multi grades for 30 years (yikes) and recently switched to 0-40 Mobil-1. This seems to drive some guys nuts, and now with the advent of 5-20 OEM recommendations some consider SAE 40 or 50 molasses.
OK, I finally got around to verifying what I suggested on these boards.
Directly out of the respective Mitchell repair manuals:
Rod bearing �??oil clearance�?� specs:
All figures are in ten-thousanths inch and (mm)
1983 Mustang 5.0 liter 0.8 - 1.5 (.020 - .038)
(eng has same specs as the unit that I used to compete with in 1972 SCCA events w/ SAE 50 oil)
2000 Contour 1.1 �?? 2.5 (.028 - .064)
Decades apart yet very similar nominal rod bearing oil clearance specs. In fact according to Mitchell the newer car has more rod bearing clearance.
So much for that urban legand.
Last week I put a question to the Penzoil tech line: I have a late 90�??s car out of warranty, I want the longest engine life possible, do I use 5-30 or 15-40?
The answer from Penzoil was �?? the 15-40 will give the longest engine life.
Now all of the above is a moot point for most drivers that change cars every few years, but for what it is worth �?? they you are.

used conventional 10w30, for a couple of winters i ran the 5w30, am now changing to mobil 1 10w30 syn, car has 75 k,

any type of flush i should do?

comments on oil im using

what type of improvements can i expect to see?

Thank you for the facts. It does seem some people confuse tight "tollerances" with tight "clearances." Todays engines can be built with tighter tollerances because of modern technology. The looser clearances are used to reduce friction.

Over a year ago, similar thread, I posted my cocktail. Was mostly blown off, but now that I have at least one backer on this thread who will agree that sheering of Mobil 1 is not an issue and that viscosity improvers aren't that bad if you change your oil every 3k...
My recipe, needless to say only Mobil 1:

2.5 quarts 15W-50
3.0 quarts 0W-30

Net result:
6W-38 (roughly)

This was because I couldn't find 0W-40 in the states. Once they start selling it in Cleveland I'll switch.

Look at the clearances post, our engines are not that much tighter than what was made years ago. Yet back then, not as concerned about EPA gas mileage, a brand new engine would get 10W-30 dino. Now we're feeding 5W-30, 0W-30, 5W-20 synth?

For best engine life, your cold number should be between 0 & 10 depending on the season and where you are in North America.
Your operating temp number should be around 40 in my humble opinion. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but my gut says 40 synth flows just as well as 30 dino (anyone with DATA to double check?)... and it protects many times over. See BMW data. So it's not like the engine is circulating less oil when I use a 40ish synth compared to the 30 dino they put it at the factory, and all these years at the dealers.

Know I'll get flamed for this somehow.


Brian Dors
99 SVT

man! I learned a sh!tload about oil in this thread! I think