Oil type to use - Ford Commander 351

[footinmichigan]

Hi-

Simple question...what is the best type of oil (manufacture, weight, etc) to use on my 1982 Ford Commander 351?  Thanks!

[RonT]

Ask 10 experts & you will get 10 answers on this one. Synthetics are great for high heat, high RPMs, your engine does neither. If your are a typical user, 40-60 hrs per season I don't see the need for synthetics if changed annually. In my boat I use a 20-50 weight non synthetic (brand of your choice) with a bottle of STP added

[footinmichigan]

Great Ron, thank you.  I used 20-50 weight, non synthetic in my '81 Ski Supreme with a PCM 302 and it worked fine.  I found that when I used a lighter weight oil., that 302 did not work as good as when it was on te 50 weight. 

[Midskier]

for years I mowed my lawn with '67 wheel horse that had a cool chrome stack. I ran dyno 20/50 in for a while then I changed to synthetic what I noticed most was I didn't stink like burning oil any more, so for the old girls with heavy hours I'll suggest synthetic just so they don't get a blue plume when they fire it up

[kjmccoach]

i agree with midskier the 1300 hour cloud behind my boat on startup was a lot less when i switched to synthetic but a rebuild i think is still in the works for a season or two from now, i'm wondering is it true that once you go to a synthetic you can't go back and if so why?

[Arne3680]

I'm using a 10/40 non synthetic in my commander 351.
Is a 20/50 better?
I don't have a blue plume when I start it up.

[Joel]

I use 15W50 Mobil One full synthetic...  cause thats what I use in my car!!       Oil is the cheapest insurance you can buy... even the expensive stuff.