New guy with many ancient cars and ?'s

[SS1970chrysler]

Howdy. I've just joined here after reading lots of things online that led me here.
I drive only older cars currently from 1962 to 1978 at the latest. I've been using 10w-40 Castrol in all of them. I don't drive far enough per year to really benefit from synthetics but am interested to see if I could be doing better grade-wise.
Cars are:
1978 Ford Granada- 250 I6, daily use few K per year
1970 Chrysler Newport- 383, semi daily use barely 1K per year
1966 Chrysler Newport- 383, collector status few 100m per year
1966 Chrysler 300- 383, collector status few 100m per year
1962 Buick Lesabre- 401, collector status 200-500m per year.

 

[eljefino]

What do you drive in the winter? I'd find a 15w40 for everything except the granada, a little more antiwear additives would be a good thing.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
What do you drive in the winter? I'd find a 15w40 for everything except the granada, a little more antiwear additives would be a good thing.

I drive the Granada and the 1970 Newport. I've also been adding a bottle of STP to all changes on all cars. I change the collector cars in October and drivers in November.

 

[30valve]

Avoid the SM/SN GF-5 rated oils in any of them that are flat tappet engines. Cam wear will be bad. Most modern oils are SM/SN rated and have taken a step back in engine wear protection due to government pressure for emission protection. Stick to SL GF-3 rated or diesel oils for there higher ZDDP anti-wear additives. Most European rated oils are SL rated, but also most likely synthetic. Best bet is Shell Rotella products.

Also skip the STP as it doesn't do much except for gumming up the engine and making sludge.

 

[marco246]

If you wanted to keep your oil inventory as simple as it is now but provide a little better protection to your vintage fleet you could run a HDEO 10w30 year-round. Consider Chevron Delo or Shell Rotella T5.

 

[bullwinkle]

I'd run Mobil Delvac 1300, Delo 400 LE, Valvoline Premium Blue, or Rotella T 15W40-those old girls will all outlive you!

 

[SS1970chrysler]

How about that ZDDP additive for antiwear compensation? All oils available locally are SM/SN with Rotella 15w40 being available in limited amounts. I used to use that in my 73 Lesabre long ago.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Chevron Delo is the sleeper for you. Great oil.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Chevron Delo is the sleeper for you. Great oil.

So diesel oil is the way to go. 10w30 or 15w40? I'm thinking the 15w40 would be great for the 3 that get no winter use. They're parked from October till May. Fuel mileage on those 3 isn't an issue since they weren't bought and loved with that in mind.

Is Delo a newcomer? That's the first I've heard of it. I guess the biggest ? of all is have I been doing unnecessary damage using what I've been using for the last 12 years?
I'm going to try 10w30 in the Granada next change. I've been getting surprising efficiency from that one so I keep trying to do better. Currently at 22 city mpg.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/577...ost__p__2256249

Some eye-candy.

 

[electrolover]

if they were mine i would use Valvoline VR1 10w30
second choice would be Rotella T5 10/30