Oil consumption

[BOURRET]

What is the average normal oil consumption for a FE big block (482 cu.in.)?

[Eljaro]

well, about 1 liter every 200 km

[JBCOBRA]

Eljaro!
I have to ship my car over for a vacation! Awesome photos and roads.
JB stuck here in suburbia
I'll bet there is great vino and food too.

[Manowar]

Queenie,
Very hard to generalize. There's no "normal" consumption for these.
Depends on the builders choice for hone specs, ring type, the kind of break-in it had and the stem seals used. Also a function of how hard you hammer it...

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by BOURRET

What is the average normal oil consumption for a FE big block (482 cu.in.)?

Does that include leaking as well ?

[cleandan]

Originally Posted by BOURRET

What is the average normal oil consumption for a FE big block (482 cu.in.)?

Because you have an aluminum block and, I'm assuming, forged aluminum pistons the clearances will be a bit larger than a similar cast iron block due to expansion rates. The larger clearances when cold will cause a bit more oil consumption than a "normal" iron FE. Now, factor in the idea of a big bore, long stroke, aluminum FE and I see a hard run big bore, long stroke, aluminum FE also...probably at sustained high rpms too. This will cause more oil usage as well. Couple all that with higher compression (above 10.5:1) and you get still more oil consumption. So, in a worst case scenario, yet good running motor like I hope you have, I would say anything over 1 QT usage in less than 800 miles is too much. I am assuming a good running, sealed motor that is not simply leaking or blowing by due to faulty/worn parts.

[My427stang]

I have 2000 miles on my 489. Running Diamond pistons at .005 clearance with low-tension oil rings.

I burned 1/2 quart at about the 1000 mile mark, then none by the 2K mark. All street miles, one 500 miles day, but mostly relatively short trips

I was very fussy on clearances and run good viton valve seals

[BOURRET]

Originally Posted by cleandan

Because you have an aluminum block and, I'm assuming, forged aluminum pistons the clearances will be a bit larger than a similar cast iron block due to expansion rates. The larger clearances when cold will cause a bit more oil consumption than a "normal" iron FE. Now, factor in the idea of a big bore, long stroke, aluminum FE and I see a hard run big bore, long stroke, aluminum FE also...probably at sustained high rpms too. This will cause more oil usage as well. Couple all that with higher compression (above 10.5:1) and you get still more oil consumption. So, in a worst case scenario, yet good running motor like I hope you have, I would say anything over 1 QT usage in less than 800 miles is too much. I am assuming a good running, sealed motor that is not simply leaking or blowing by due to faulty/worn parts.

O.K. I seem to be in the correct upper limit with almost one quart for 1000 miles. I have no leak and the engine is running fine. Most of my driving is on roads, with fairly high rpm .

[BOURRET]

Originally Posted by Eljaro

well, about 1 liter every 200 km

I hope the price of oil is not too high in USA!!!
What sounds better than a Cobra in a tunnel? a Cobra in a metallic car ferry boat!!!

[BOURRET]

Originally Posted by Manowar

Queenie,
Very hard to generalize. There's no "normal" consumption for these.
Depends on the builders choice for hone specs, ring type, the kind of break-in it had and the stem seals used. Also a function of how hard you hammer it...

Yes, I understand that there is no really "normal" values but I think there are some limits. Or maybe the real thing to worry about for a given engine is when the oil consumption changes abruptly.