I just reassembled my 2.8. What type of engine oil should I use?
Second, what oil filter should I use? I assume a filter for a ranger or bronco II, but I want to make sure the filter will fit in the engine bay.
Third, I would like to pressurize the oil system. What can I use to connect my drill to the oil pump drive shaft?
Thanks,
Joel
Hi Joel,
I recommend using a good quality 10/40 oil, (straight 30W is also OK) not one of the ones advertised for gas mileage. Some of the guys on this board are more up to date on the latest oils, so you might want to ask them which brand. I personally, run the engine for about the first twenty minutes, then change the oil and filter. I then run it for another 100 miles, and change oil and filter again. After these first two oilchanges, I run it for 2,000 miles and change it and filter. I don't like to run more than two thousand miles between oil changes, but that's me. I would recommend not going more than 3,000 miles between changes, period. I use Mobil 1, 20/50 after the break in, about 3,000 miles, but if you want to run parafin based oils, I highly recommend using Kendall 10/40, or 20/50.
Does your engine have the Ranger oil filter adapter on it? The aluminum adapter that you put the filter in from the bottom? If you don't, you will need to run one, or you'll have to use a very short filter in order to clear the frame. I recommend using Purolator filters for the Ranger (PER 1). Fram is a pice of junk, as far as I'm concerned.
To pre-lube your engine, you'll need a 6mm. socket, that isn't any larger on the O.D. than the lower part of the distributor gear. Take a short extension, about 6" long, and put the opposite end into a large drill motor chuck. With the rocker covers off, spin the drill motor till you see oil coming out of the rocker shafts. The drill needs to be turning in a clockwise direction, for the oil pump to work. Try to get a socket that fits tightly onto the extension, so that it won't fall into the engine, when you go to remove the driver. I would also suggest turning the engine over by hand at the same time that you are running the drill motor, so that oil gets to all the rod bearings.
Congratulations on reaching one of the last stages on your conversion journey.
Jose