• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

1966 Mustang 289 Hot weather Engine Oil Advise & Suggestions

  • Thread starter Thread starter 199
  • Start date Start date Mar 20, 2010

199

New Member
Apr 22, 2005
101
0
0
Mar 20, 2010
#1
  • Mar 20, 2010
  • #1
I have a 1966 Mustang C-code 289 with 82,000 original miles (recently purchase form the US),

I would like to know what type of engine oil would be recommend for my weather conditions. I already bough the filter Motorcraft FL-1A. I wanna know whats the best engine oil for hot weather, I was originally gonna purchase 10W-30 Motorcraft oil but the dealer in my country only carries the synthetic oil.

The weather is hot and humid here, the temp reaches 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in the summer Lowest 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit) for less than a month. I would say the average temperature is 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit)

I did alot of research online and read alot of forum posts and websites, and I feel 10W-30 might not be right for my car, and believe 20w-50 would be suitable as in the cars original user manual 20w-40 is recommend but I cant seem to find that grade in my country or even online.

So my plan is to change the oil using the following material

Castrol GTX 20w-50 with ZDDPlus (a ZDDP Additive)
Motorcraft FL-1A Oil Filter

I dont want to switch to synthetic oil.

I need some advise as this is my first classic car, I am also planning to change the oil at 3,000miles intervals, please advise me on my choices.
 

Cobain03

Active Member
Aug 27, 2003
996
0
36
Lexington, Ky
Mar 20, 2010
#2
  • Mar 20, 2010
  • #2
122 degress and your driving a vehicle without a/c???

unless im thinking backwards but you would want a thinner oil correct? maybe somone can chime in here. wouldnt hurt to run a small oil cooler,


i cant fathom 122 degrees, but i guess if you saw our winters (single digits in Fahrenheit) it woult be odd to you as well.

my car used to run hot in 90+ degree days. switched to aluminum radiator and electric fan with a good fan shroud and i was set.
 

65ShelbyClone

Founding Member
Sep 9, 2000
4,675
38
119
Antelope Valley, SoCal
Mar 20, 2010
#3
  • Mar 20, 2010
  • #3
15w-40(available most often for diesels) or 20w-50 should be fine if your average temperature is above 80°F/27°C. That said, even 10w-30 could be fine depending on the condition of the engine and its normal running temperature. Oil weight is chosen more for its ability to flow at low temperatures. It is going to reach roughly the same peak temperature in operation.

Cobain03 said:
1.) unless im thinking backwards but you would want a thinner oil correct? maybe somone can chime in here.

2.) i cant fathom 122 degrees, but i guess if you saw our winters (single digits in Fahrenheit) it woult be odd to you as well.
Click to expand...

1.) You do have it backwards. Viscosity drops as temperature goes up, thus making it necessary to use a thicker oil in higher temps.

2.) I can. I haven't been in 122°F heat, but I have been outside in a relatively humid 113°. I think the heat index was ~120. I had decent A/C and it barely worked in that kind of heat.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Mar 20, 2010
#4
  • Mar 20, 2010
  • #4
20w-50 & the ZDDP is perfect.
 

199

New Member
Apr 22, 2005
101
0
0
Apr 3, 2010
#5
  • Apr 3, 2010
  • #5
Thanks for all your input.

Ordered some parts for my car from mustangunlimited and I got a flyer for Joe Gibbs Driven Oil, as im not in the US and this is not available in my country I wont be able to use it on my car, but I just wanted to share this information.

Joe Gibbs Driven Hot Rod Oil has Zinc,
Joe Gibbs Driven - Hot Rod Oils

and while searching the net I also came across another brand that has zinc its

Brad Penn, Penn Grade 1 Oil
Welcome!

just thought this might be useful for someone who might reads this thread later on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
SOLD 1964 Weber Carbureted 289 Hipo $10k Firm
  • Robert Campbell
  • Sep 5, 2016
  • Engine and Power Adder
Replies
1
Views
7K
Engine and Power Adder Sep 17, 2016
Robert Campbell
R
Switching To Closed Crankcase-type Oil Cap On 1966 289
  • Lee317
  • Aug 17, 2014
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
13
Views
10K
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Nov 11, 2014
Lee317
M
  • Locked
Expired 1997 Ford Mustang Gt, Low Miles, Upgrades
  • max1234
  • Jun 2, 2014
  • SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04)
Replies
3
Views
2K
SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04) Jul 25, 2014
max1234
M
R
  • Locked
Mild 289 Build For 1966 Mustang Coupe
  • roy mccarthy
  • Sep 1, 2012
  • Engine and Power Adder
Replies
4
Views
4K
Engine and Power Adder Sep 4, 2012
65Coupe351
6
S
  • Locked
'68 Mustang 289 Coupe, $4,400
  • streetroc85350
  • May 10, 2012
  • Classic Mustangs For Sale
Replies
1
Views
39K
Classic Mustangs For Sale Oct 15, 2012
JoelB
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?