It's about time for another oil change and was thinking of going with 5w-30 instead of 10w-30 for the cold weather. Engine turned over real slow today at -15 and it's going to get colder plus I heard it better for the engine. So should I go with the 5 weight instead of 10? Also does anyone else put 6 quarts of oil in instead of 5? When I do 5 it just goes to the bottom mark on the dipstick.

 

I actually think 5w-30 is called for In the owners manual. They have a handy little chart thing with different suggestions based on duty cycle and temps.


The best alternative for engine life would be to go for a block heater.

I always just dump the big jug in. Then check it and periodically add parts of another quart in between changes. I do have 220k odd miles though.

 

How good is your battery? I'm running 10w30 and my truck turns over alright even with not being plugged in and we're at the same temp. I know my battery is going down and it's starting to show its age. That could be some what of the issue.

 

Did you install a new pan when you rebuilt? If so, the aftermarket pans route the dipstick differently. It still takes 5 quarts. That 6th quart will blow out the end gaskets on the intake manifold. I found out the hard way.

 

It's the stock pan, but my engine is from a Durango so it is slightly different. I also got a new mopar dipstick and tube. My battery is only a couple years old and I think it's good. I think my stiffer valve springs and cam make it a little harder for it too. I'm going to put a block heater in over Christmas break. While I have the coolant drained I want to replace my radiator hose clamps. I have the cheap worm drive ones and the changing temperature makes it leak. Anyone know where I can find the oem tension clamps?

 

What kind of compression ratio did you go with?

 

It's only like .1 more over stock from boring the cylinders. The chamber cc's are stock and the pistons are stock volume also. I think the cam times the valves so it builds up more pressure or something haha. I think I might be wrong. Either way I have stiffer valve springs.

 

Installed some 4 hole injectors from flame thrower injectors. Seems to idle better. Hopefully they get me a little better gas mileage too.

 

I was happy with the change to 4 port injectors... I don't know that it effected MPG greatly, but definitely smoothed idle, and played well with the other mod's.

 

How much did those run for?