Best Motor Oil To Use in 1957 312

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Hillclimber
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Best Motor Oil To Use in 1957 312

Post by Hillclimber »

I have a 1957 Tbird with a 312 4bbl Holley and want to maintain her in the best way possible. I have owned the car for approx. a year and a half and immediately had questions as to what oil is best when oil change time rolled around. Being an old Air Force F-4 crewchief, I have long been a proponent and user of synthetic oils, mostly Mobil 1 ever since it first debuted. I called Exxon/Mobil in Houston and talked firsthand to a petroleum engineer and he gave his recommendation when I asked for it. He suggested using 0-40W Mobil 1 European Formula. He said that it was extra high in phosphorous which my Y-block as well as European cars need. The 0 viscosity would ensure that the oil would percolate throughout the whole engine the very quickest, and as the oil warmed, the increasing viscosity (40) would ensure good coating and sticking. I found it difficult to argue with his logic but would appreciate the advice of experienced mechanics with a better knowledge of these Y-blocks than I.
ICON 1956
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Re: Best Motor Oil To Use in 1957 312

Post by ICON 1956 »

Funny you should ask this question, I just changed my motor oil with Shell's 15w-40 Rotella Diesel motor oil. This has plenty of zinc which these cars need. CTCI's Guru Gil Baumgartner recommends this engine oil. I've used this for 4 years. I change my oil every 2000 miles. I've had this habit since I've owned my car. I have greased all of the zerk fittings also the universal joints on the drive shaft. My neighbor has a lift in his garage so it is easy for me to use it and do the preventive maintenance . If you have a oil bath air filter you should clean the mesh screen with gas let dry and add new fresh oil in the oil bath reservoir just a little oil at the bottom line.
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1956 Thunderbird Sage Green
1953 Ford Custom Liner Hot Rod With Flat 8 Motor with Henderson three 2 barrel Carbs
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Snow-T-Bird
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Re: Best Motor Oil To Use in 1957 312

Post by Snow-T-Bird »

Gil Baumgartner is the Classic Thunderbird Club International authority on all technical matters regarding Classic Thunderbirds. He recommend a motor oil which include a generous supply of anti-wear additives, a combination of zinc and phosphorous (ZDDP).

https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/engine-oil/
CSPIDY
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Re: Best Motor Oil To Use in 1957 312

Post by CSPIDY »

Shell Rotella does offer a synthetic version of the 15W 40 oil
57 D code Colonial White


Wise man once told me, "you don't know what you don't know"

West Newton, PA
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