Oil

[scottb]

Question for tje herd: what do yall recommend for engine lubtication in our antiquated v6s?

[GTRS Fiero]

Engine oil.

[scottb]

I was thinking the oil of clubbed baby seals myself.....

[GTRS Fiero]

Were you thinking brand, weight, ...?

[scottb]

Exactly

[GTRS Fiero]

Personal preference.

I use mobile 1 synthetic 5W30.

Synthetic isn't for all engines.  Higher mileage engines may require heavier oil.

[Raydar]

I used to use Rotella T. 15W-40 in my 3.4. Or Castrol GTX.

Since most everything uses roller tappets, now, they've reduced the amount of zinc (ZDDP) in motor oil. (ZDDP tends to damage catalytic converters.)
Try to find something that has some ZDDP in it. Will help the cam lobes to last.
Otherwise, just use something thick enough to maintain oil pressure, when it's hot.

Personally, I try to stay away from Pennzoil or Quaker State, since they used to be paraffin-based, but there's probably not a heck of a lot of difference, these days.
Of course, you'll probably get as many different answers as there are people reading this.

Edit - Although this is a sales pitch, it will explain the ZDDP thing a lot better than I could.
https://www.amsoil.com/newsstand/classic-and-vintage/articles/reduced-zddp-and-wear-protection/

[Fierofool]

I have been running Castrol GTX in all my vehicles since 88, but Don Hulse and some PFF discussions convinced me to change to the Rotella-T for the reasons Radar speaks of.  Instead of adding ZDDP( I tend to over-do) I just get the oil with the right percentage.  First time I used the 15 w 40 but then I found they also have 10 w 30 and I've changed to that.

I saw some videos where a man dissects a number of brands of oil filters, and I discontinued using my old favorite, Fram.  Wix and Purolator were the superior filters in his analysis.  NAPA Gold is made by one of those two.   I forgot which. 

I don't have a converter on the 87 and so far I haven't had any problems with the 86.  If it kills the cat, I'll just remove it, too. 

A side note about the Castrol GTX.  I replaced the valve cover gaskets on Melanie's 93 Grand Am 3.3.  It had somewhere around 160-170 K miles.  There was absolutely no residue buildup on the valve train or in the covers.  The rocker arms were a nice golden color.  I do oil changes ever 5000 miles.

I might add that the Rotella or ZDDP additives should not be used in engines with roller lifters, like our L4's. 

[scottb]

Thanks yall. ...... I will grab some Rotella next time I go to Wally World..... with 150,000 on it I cant make it worse.

As an aside, I finally got a battery for it so I should be able to drive it again

[GTXVette]

Wally World has a Discount Shelf in there Stores I found LOTS of Oils there And bought 4- 1 Gallon Jugs Of 15/40 Synthetic For ..Ta Da .4.00 dollars A Jug . Different Stuff at Different Stores But 'On Sale' Some Stores were Higher But Product was There. If I Had The Money I would have Found The Mgr. And Tried To Make a Deal

[Fierofool]

Was it located in the auto parts section or elsewhere?  I sometimes see shelves or bins of stuff on discount but they are nowhere near the department they should be in.  If I was shopping for those items, I'd probably miss them. 

[TopNotch]

I use the oil recommended by John Callies (father of the Super Duty 4) in my Fieros -- Mobile 1. No oil-related problems.

[GTXVette]

well your right, and Clearence isle may be the right wording, Canton is near the middle of the store  Closer to Clothe's No where near Automotive.

[GTRS Fiero]

Corporate sends out these things called plan-o-grams that tell stores how to marchandise product.  I'm sure the final say goes through the marketing department, because it is illogical, difficult to find, difficult to stock, and generally infuriating.  It does, however, force you to go through the store in search of it.  From my point of view, the marketing department is the enemy of the consumer.

[GTXVette]

That's why Milk and Beer is in the Back of the Store.