oil change

[zhead240]

before i put my zed away for the winter i'll change the oil.the P O used 10w30.i bought pennzoil on sale($6 for 3.7 liters). is all oil basicaly the same? when i go to the auto part department they show me a filter that's only half as tall as the one i got on.i found a site on the web

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/ipb/wizard.jsp?partner=ipb&clientid=alleurasianautoparts&baseurl=http://www.alleurasianautoparts.com/&cookieid=1MQ1EHIF41MQ1EHIEU&year=1972&make=NI&model=240-Z-001&category=A&part=Oil+Filter

is this the right filter? thanks in advance.

[montoya_fan01]

The basic filter used on many Chevys and Fords can be used on an L motor. I'm not recommending a Fram filter, but the p/n for that brand is PH8A, Pennzoil PZ1, etc. Some OEM filters are smaller in size than "standard" aftermarket filters. I prefer the larger size filters as I think there is probabley (or at least a good chance that there is) more filter media inside the bigger cannister.

I saw in the archives a thread about Wix brand filters being good cause they have an anti-drainback feature that many other (cheaper) brands don't have. It keeps the oil in the filter from draining out over time so that when you crank the engine the oil presure builds up quicker and the bearings aren't spinning with out oil for as long of time.

(I use 20W 50 oil, but my climate may be different than yours)

[zhead240]

i'm told if i use a certain brand of oil to stick to that brand and not to switch to something else. these people are very adamant about this.any harm if i use a different oil next year?

[260Zed]

"oils ain't oils." I'd agree that if you use the one brand/type of oil that it is more beneficial than trying every one after another. depending on your climate I would've chosen something a bit thicker, but it depends on your engine condition etc...

[First Gen Z]

The Wix number is 51515.

[cremmenga]

I have looked in to alot of oils. I read this big article in hot rod about sybthentic and wow that looks to be the best way to go! I can't really remember exact numbers but I think they gained like an ave. of 8-12 hp just by going synthetic. Not to mention the better protection.

[montoya_fan01]

Some people insist on eating Popeye's Fried Chicken & others insist on KFC, still others prefer Church's Fried Chicken. Flavor may be a little different, but it's still the same species of bird. Essentially the same.

Different oils may have different additives, but I think that oils that meet the same specs are essentially equal and your engine won't know the difference.

I use whatever NAME BRAND oil (Pennzoil, Castrol, Quaker State, etc) that is on sale when I need to buy. I make sure that I use the best grade of oil in the weight that I choose to run (20W 50 in my case). Never have had an oil related (or ANY) engine failure in hundreds of thousands of miles of driving.

Synthetic oils are completely different from Dino oils. I prefer to use Dino oil in my Z, but I use synthetic in my 2003 Ford F150

[nwcubsman]

I also think a good quality oil is a good quality oil. I heard many years ago that you should stick to a brand, because different additives found in various brands will break loose different varnishes or sediments, that could plug things up. I can't say if it is true or not, but I do believe in changing oil early and often if I am a new owner of an old car. I'll change it (and filter) each 500 miles for 2 or 3 changes, then start my normal routine of 2500 or so miles.

I also read a study last year that looked at filters, and it claimed that filters vary greatly. Fram didn't fare real well (in the top 5 or so), so I now use Puralator. It also stated that the upper grade of Puralator filter was only very slightly better than the standard Puralator, which tested very good.

Not sure if you can even consider this my .02, since it is hearsay.

[Carolina Z]

I have used Castrol for years in my 77 280 and have never had a problem, generally I use a Fram filter, I have on occasion used K & N , but as I have been told by various people in the business of changing oil ( I do it myself however) as well as people who are in the business of selling oil and filters, the filter is less important than the oil. True there are some really cheap filters out there, but , the diff between a Fram and the K & N is basically none, your paying for the name K & N as well as the advertising that they do to get you to purchase their products. The big point is the oil and that can make a major difference in the performance and protection of the engine.

Main deal, change the oil frequently and change the filter everytime you change the oil

I change the oil in my 77 religiously every 2000 miles . To some that might be a little much , but the veh has 82000 miles on it , no engine probs and spending 15.00 to do that seems pretty cost effective vs damaging the engine by allowing it to run on weak oil. Most of the miles come from driving on the interstate or two lane country roads where I can kinda turn her loose , so its not much stop and go, city miles. Still I am just particular about this veh and the care that I give her, after all , she's my baby..

[zhead240]

in my daily driver i use a teflon filter about once every 4th change. any reason not to use them on my zed?

[DatsunZsRule]

Ahh the oil debate

Correct, You will get no argument from me that Synthetic is the best out there. However, if your Z has high miles and has always used regular oil in the past then you want to stick with regular oil. Why? Synthetic will loosen any old sludge build up which can result in major engine problems.

As for weight, that depends on which climate you live in. I'm in Minnesota so I use 10W30. Works great. 20W50 is VERY thick and is only needed in places like Arizona. Your getting ready to store yours for winter just like I have to do in MN. so you must be in the cooler climate like me. I would recommend the 10W30.

Brand? Everyone is partial to a certain brand so you'll get tons of suggestions on that I personally am a Valvoline guy. I use there full synthetic (SynPower) in my daily driver and regular Valvoline in my Z because It's pleasure driven.

I personally get nothing but the best for my Z so I always use a Genuine Nissan Oil Filter. The filter is a very important part for the engine and is definitely worth spending the extra $$ on a good one.

My two cents

[cremmenga]

Ahh the oil debate

The filter is a very important part for the engine and is definitely worth spending the extra $$ on a good one.

My two cents

I'm with you on my camaro and firbird I shell out the extra for the better oil filter. I normally go with the K&N. And I use the same oil as you, and never never anything different!