oil change

[montoya_fan01]

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..

Before you believe that oil filters aren't very important, or that they are all basically the same, you might want to invest a little time reading this

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

I found this link posted in another thread on this website. I can't find the thread now, but I saved the link. I think anyone reading this webpage will soon realize that there is a vast difference between different oil filters.

[zhead240]

i used the ph8a filter recommended by fellow members. i compared the OEM filter(blue) with the ph8a and it was the same size except the ph was a half a titch shorter then the OEM. also there was no P/N # on the OEM.i see a OEM filter on ebay for $6.99 plus shipping. too expensive, i'll stick to the PH filter @ $2.99 off the shelf.

[montoya_fan01]

Only issue is that Fram aren't very good filters.. Change it often.

[zhead240]

since the filter is mounted horizontal will you always have oil spill out of the filter when removing?first time for change and i got oil all over the deck. i guess i'll put the drain pan under the filter next time.

[beandip]

ha

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.

THIS OIL DEBATE HAS GONE ON EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER. I first started interest in and began working on engines in 1953 and have is one way or another since then . I totally agree with this post above , with the exception of two things and they are 1. there is a difference in the oils and quality. Price is not a indicater of quality either . The chemical additives and refining practices make a difference and there are quite a few . 2. Frequency of oil changes and this depends upon the type of driving being done . Stop and go , traffic is the hardest on a engine especially if the engine is not run more than 45 min. It takes just under that time to completely come up to temp and to dry out any moisture in the crankcase. Under that kind of use , 3000 miles is a limit. If mostly hiway miles or if the engine is run long enough to completely warm up 4000 is no problem. As was stated above changeing oil sooner is cheep insurance . If you changed at 1000 like we used to do in the '50s and '60s it wouldent hurt anything . I have looked into this deeply for a long time . Personally there are two oils that I will use in my cars and one filter. Quaker State , or Castrol the composition is almost exactly the same . And Puralator plus 1 is my filter . It has the largest square inches of filtering media offered for these engines and a high quality anti-drain valve to keep the dirty stuff from draining back into the pan . Plus it maintains the oil in the filter so oil pressure and flow is quicker at start up . Thats my 5c. Gary enough for the soap box. I do think that Synthetic is the best , but I don't use it . I rather change sooner , I did try it in a engine that had 60K on it once and it started leaking at the seals shortly there after. In a new or newer engine , after breakin I think it would be good . Gary

[77 Z]

Called the dealer today , they hve the OEM , $ 7.00. Think Im gonna go with that from now on, makes more sence to me to use the OEM the more that I have thought about this.

Funny as important as the oil is , I had really given more thought to it due to the frequency of changing the oil than to the filter, I grew up with Fram and had pretty much used it most of the time over the years, except when allowing one of the Oil change places to change the oil ( very infrequently) on my other cars. But the more I am thinking of this , Im gonna go back to the OEM filter.

[rbm260z]

Wix is the best filter going based on clinical testing!!! Synthetic oil from Mobile 1 is very expensive as are other brand names. But, Wal-Mart has their own brand of synthetic oil and is $11.88 for a 5 quart container (10-30), back here on the east coast.

[DatsunZsRule]

"Wal-Mart has their own brand of synthetic oil and is $11.88 for a 5 quart container (10-30),

Your kidding me right? Whats it called? Sam's Choice Full synthetic Motor Oil?

[77 Z]

Like I said , Im going back to the dealer filter, they also recommend 10W30 non synthetic oil in a 77 with the stock engine. This car has never been run with synthetic oil in it , it does not burn nor use any oil so Im not going to change anything right now , I also cked on the valve cover gasket from the dealer , thought I might change that due to the mileage 82,000 ( original miles) even though there isnt a prob with the one currently on it I just am thinking why not , its pretty simple to do so might as well put a new one on before the original one begins to leak, on the other hand , no leak why mess with it at this time, but the filter will be the OEM one for sure.

[240ZX]

Alot of the old stories about oil/filter and frequencies of changing it have mostly come from the companies that manufacture the stuff....like changing your oil/filter every 3000 miles (Gee, they're just trying to sell more product!!!). Take a look in the owners manuals today and see what they have to say!!! OK, you say my Z is not a new car and this does not really apply. Major brand oils have come along way with improving the durability and performance of their oils, espacially synthetics. I'm a big fan of Mobil#1 oil/filters.....a bit more pricey but thats my choice. I used to change oil/filter every 3000 miles until I did some serious investigation on what the experts (independent test labs) had to say about the current state of oils and how often oil/filter changes are recommended. Just like most of the auto manufactures will tell you and the independent labs agree, it depends upon the type of driving you do but under normal driving conditions (city/hwy) changing your oils and filter at 5000 miles is what is recommended. Shoot, some of the latest oils are recommending up to 15K mile between changes. But it's OK to fatten up the oils companies with unnecessary oil/filter changes....I'm sure they don't mind one bit $$$!!! Again, I believe synthetics is the way to go....especially if you tend to run her a bit hard. The stuff far surpasses dino oil. Just another man's opinion!

[Carolina Z]

Good info 240ZX , but , I for one just like the knowledge that the oil in the car is doing what it should do , which is to protect the engine among other things, so to me keeping the freshest oil in the car is something that I pay attn to religiously . Many years ago I ruined an engine due to not changing the oil in a Subaru Wagon that in 1984 (it was an 85 model) cost 16,000 dollars, now many will say that the car was not that expensive but it was at that time the top of the line 4 wheel drive Subi Wagon, loaded with every option that was avail. But as said I didnt pay attn to something as simple as changing the oil, primarily due to the car being driven 99% of the time by my wife.

So you live and learn and I will never come close to doing that again. Obviously I was the one who was questioning filters in this post, which I have had a change of mind in.

I guess it boils down to what people want to spend their money on , me , changing the oil is just part of the fun of owning my Z and keeping the original engine intact and running as well as it does is important to me.

I realize the new oils are probably better, but depending on driving conditions etc the oil is still going to breakdown, the better the viscosity the more protection, or at least I think so.

Thanks for you input however on the Mobile 1 oil and filter.

By the way I am 77 Z here also, had no idea that I had two handles on this board until today, so from here on Im going as CAROLINA Z