I used Castrol synthetic or Mobil 1 at 5-6000 mile intervals for 30+ years. After a vehicle was old I sometimes ran 50% mixture of synthetic and conventional oil. None had problems with oil consumption and usually ran well until given to a child or hit by a memphis driver. When I began having a problem finding the proper weight in Castrol, I started using Mobil 1.I've run nothing but Mobil 1 & a Motorcraft filter on my last three Ford trucks.
I sold the 2007 F150 to my BIL at 140k, it has 175k on it now and going strong. He swears it runs like new.
My current truck is an F250 gasser with about 50k. Since it's first oil change (I perform them all) it's been Motorcraft filter and Mobil 1 - every 5k - easier to remember changing at the 5's!
Since I change at such short intervals, I'm thinking about switching to Castrol GTX High Mileage synthetic blend, and the same Motorcraft filter. The oil is about half the cost of the Mobil 1.
Any experience with the Castrol GTX? Thoughts?
Good info. I was wondering if you would post. I have become convinced that anymore, it is frequency of changes that counts more than the oil used. That said, I still use Motorcraft filters and Mobil 1 or another higher end synthetic.Any ticking or clickity clack at start up on a Ford that's not low on oil is most likely a bad timing chain synchronizer(cam sprocket), stretched timing chain or bad chain tensioner. True through 3 generations of Ford motors 4.6, 5.4 or newer 3.5 V6. On a Chrysler 3.6 that ticks all the time it's probably a failed roller rocker arm.
As far as oil, pick a synthetic/blend and check it, top it and/or change it regularly. I recommend 5k even with synthetic but that's a personal preference. One that's kept my 03' Dakota with a 3.9 going for over 295k.
I've torn down a lot of LS platform engines, and I'm pretty convinced they'll last forever if you wanted them to. If the oil was changed regularly and a quality filter was used, there is almost zero detectable wear at 100k. One example, my wife bought a 98 Camaro with like 45k on the clock off a used car lot. She did heads, cam, headers, converter and a 100 shot and drove it that way for another ~50k. We pulled the motor at 94k and change to install the new setup (forged LQ9-based low compression, T76 turbocharged). We tore down the motor to sell off the components, and it was still remarkably fresh. No cylinder bore wear, original hone pattern still nice and clear. Rings were nice and square, ring gaps nice and tight, very little carbon buildup behind them. Main and rod bearings had small areas that were polished in the expected locations, but still uniform thickness. Original timing set was fine with very little chain stretch despite the increased load of the Comp Cams XE-R lobes and stiffer valve springs. Everything internally was very clean, no idea what oil the original owner ran but we always ran Mobil 1 and changed fluids on a 'severe duty' schedule between 3k and 5k.50K is not high mileage. Not sure about F*** or other brands but high mileage doesn't start on an LS-based engine until at least 150K miles.
Been there, done that.Y'all want a rabbit hole to go down? https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/
Agreed. As a testament to LS durability, this turd came in with over 300k miles. Hadn't had an oil change in who knows how long. No one could remember. We changed it twice to help flush it, but that SOB purred like kitten and drove away.I've torn down a lot of LS platform engines, and I'm pretty convinced they'll last forever if you wanted them to. If the oil was changed regularly and a quality filter was used, there is almost zero detectable wear at 100k. One example, my wife bought a 98 Camaro with like 45k on the clock off a used car lot. She did heads, cam, headers, converter and a 100 shot and drove it that way for another ~50k. We pulled the motor at 94k and change to install the new setup (forged LQ9-based low compression, T76 turbocharged). We tore down the motor to sell off the components, and it was still remarkably fresh. No cylinder bore wear, original hone pattern still nice and clear. Rings were nice and square, ring gaps nice and tight, very little carbon buildup behind them. Main and rod bearings had small areas that were polished in the expected locations, but still uniform thickness. Original timing set was fine with very little chain stretch despite the increased load of the Comp Cams XE-R lobes and stiffer valve springs. Everything internally was very clean, no idea what oil the original owner ran but we always ran Mobil 1 and changed fluids on a 'severe duty' schedule between 3k and 5k.
With a 5k interval any modern synthetic will be fine.every 5k
Redline is the only one I know of still making all ester base oil. Even Amsoil uses blends now.You know mobil 1 of today is natural gas based and not an Ester oil base.
Brotella has great performance to price! If I'm not using Amsoil or Redline, I'm using it.I use Rotella T6 in everything
I've torn down a lot of LS platform engines, and I'm pretty convinced they'll last forever if you wanted them to. If the oil was changed regularly and a quality filter was used, there is almost zero detectable wear at 100k. One example, my wife bought a 98 Camaro with like 45k on the clock off a used car lot. She did heads, cam, headers, converter and a 100 shot and drove it that way for another ~50k. We pulled the motor at 94k and change to install the new setup (forged LQ9-based low compression, T76 turbocharged). We tore down the motor to sell off the components, and it was still remarkably fresh. No cylinder bore wear, original hone pattern still nice and clear. Rings were nice and square, ring gaps nice and tight, very little carbon buildup behind them. Main and rod bearings had small areas that were polished in the expected locations, but still uniform thickness. Original timing set was fine with very little chain stretch despite the increased load of the Comp Cams XE-R lobes and stiffer valve springs. Everything internally was very clean, no idea what oil the original owner ran but we always ran Mobil 1 and changed fluids on a 'severe duty' schedule between 3k and 5k.
Agreed. As a testament to LS durability, this turd came in with over 300k miles. Hadn't had an oil change in who knows how long. No one could remember. We changed it twice to help flush it, but that SOB purred like kitten and drove away.
Our 2003 Yukon Denali is nearing its life of service (for us) and I am considering swapping the 6.0L for a 5.3L for the core...The latest Gen V LT V8’s are gaining in popularity.
The stock fuel system can support up to about 500hp, but bone-stock the motor itself is super flexible and puts out 6.0 LS levels of power.
The last part is significant, because it’s getting very hard to find 6.0 motors and sellers want a premium.
The 5.3’s are a dime a dozen.
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Why not rebuild the 6.0 you have?Our 2003 Yukon Denali is nearing its life of service (for us) and I am considering swapping the 6.0L for a 5.3L for the core...