idk...i still havent decided as to whether i'm going to switch to synthetic or not. i run pennzoil now 10w-30 and was thinking about switching to pennzoil premium synthetic. they had a deal going on in the store, 25 bucks for 5 quarts of penn premium synthetic or quakerstate synthetic and mobile 1 oil filter. i might go with the penn since thats what i have now.

 

The best way I can sum it up is like this; If you have money to burn, then switch to synthetic. That way if it starts to leak (which I think it will) 6k or 8k miles down the road, then you have money to fix it. If money is an issue for you, then stick with a good conventional oil so you don't have any surprises down the road.

 

I use Pennzoil Full Syn. 10w-30 it's 19.95 for 5 qt at Wally World and I get a 10% discount I just wish they had wix filters. I have had no problems with leaks and I accually switched two engines over to this oil without any leaks. The guy who I bought the truck from let it sit for 4 years and ruined the bearings and the cooling system.

 

Deja vu. So your saying that sythetic oil won't wick an engine...at all?

 

what I'm saying is I didn't have any problems. I have heard it from several sources that due to different swellers an engine may seep at the beginning after the switch. I have also heard that the early synthetics didn't have swellers in them.

 

ah **** it...i'll just stick with the conventional oil. cheaper is definitely a plus

 

Actually there is conventional oil, semi-syn, full syn, and 100% syn. All have different cleaner and seal swell additives. A semi syn will be under 50% syn (usually right around 25%). A full syn is about 50% synthetic. Unless it specifically states 100% synthetic in the label, it's a blend. I personally try to avoid high mileage oils as the seal swellers aren't a good idea IMO.

 

well, from what i've gathered...it's pretty much 50/50 on what some people say synthetic will do to an old engine. who knows...but the idea still stays there...if you change to synthetic, and it starts to leak all over the place...then you know you have a problem. its not the oil thats the problem...its your gaskets and seals. thats like saying if i had a bucket with a 1" hole in the bottom and filled it with 2" rocks, and it didnt leak water...is the bucket fixed? and then i put sand in the bucket and it just poors out. the problem isn't the sand. its the hole in the bucket lol

 

Only thing is, that the make up of conventional oils of today are so advanced from what they used to be, as far as the cleaning properties go, the same thing will eventually occur. And I also concur, that the worst thing is using engine flush. You want leaks, well you got them. What you want is some thing that slowly cleans the engine like Rislone or even using a synthetic. Your not going to suddenly have oil gushing out of the engine from using them. And even using the conventional, if it's going to leak , it's going to leak. No damage to engine will be done. And replacing the oil pan gasket,valve covers gaskets or the front and rear main seals on these motors is rather easy.

 

Well, if its leaking, it needs replaced.