Need oil change etc. info for my "new" car

kayakjack · #1 (**permalink**) 11-23-2006, 02:37 PM

My "new" Superformance 1202 has a 351w SVO engine installed by Olthoff Racing. I got a Superformance manual along with the car. The previous owner said the car has Mobil 1 20w50 synthetic oil as per Olthoff's instructions. He was not positive of the number of quarts to add when I change it. The oil filter is a Carquest.

Does Mobil 1 20w50 synthetic sound reasonable?
Do you know how many quarts to put in after I drain the sump and replace the filter?
Do you know which filter to use?
Is there typically some documentation regarding engine/transmission/differential specs that a new owner would get from Olthoff?
It looks like it has a stock distributor. I haven't opened it up, but it looks like I would find points and a condensor. Are there specs for replacements? I'll ask Olthoff about that. I bet they could help.
The manual didn't really cover specific maintenance issues for the chassis, like location of grease fittings/ Wilwood brake pad specs etc. Is that information assembled in one place?

Part of the fun for me is learning the car and being able to do some maintenance myself. Thanks for your help!!

Jack

Remod · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2006, 03:06 PM

Hey Jack,

You'll be happy with that Superformance!

Do you know which oil pan your car has? My 351w has a Canton 7 qt. pan.

based on engine builders recommendations, don't use synthetic for the first 5k or so. Personally, I have no plans to run synthetic ever since I only use the car on the street, and in that case, synthetic is a waste inho. But I always use an amsoil filter.

Good Luck with your car!

JCoop · #3 (**permalink**) 11-23-2006, 06:05 PM

Jack, being a Superformance later number like yours, and built by Olthoff, I'd say it's got a MSD ignition (no points). and you'll probably need 6.5 qts of oil with an oil filter change. I recommend Motorcraft FL1AH filter and Castrol GTX 5W30 in colder weather and 10W40 in the summer. After 5K miles, I recommend Mobil1 0W40 year round.

427SnakeSC · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2006, 06:16 PM

I second what JCoop said, use the 10W40 Castrol or Mobil 1. I have been advised to not use the synthetic in these high performance engines. There seems to be some question about how it reacts with your gasgets. As for amount, just drain your oil pan, replace your oil filter. Fill your crankcase with the above mentioned oil, until it approaches the "safe" mark on your dip stick. Spark it up, run for a couple of minutes, and top it up to the "safe" mark.

wtm442 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2006, 08:28 PM

If it looks like a stock distributor, its probably a Ford Duraspark unit. The brain is underneath the dash close to where a passenger's knees would be located.

Do not use synthetic oil until at least 500 miles. Some people say 1000 miles. The first owner changed regular oil to Red Line 20W-50. I changed it to Red Line 10W-40.

20W-50 is mostly used for a vehicle that sees a lot of race tracks.

kayakjack · #6 (**permalink**) 11-23-2006, 08:38 PM

It looks like a stock distributor. It is unfortunately not an MSD. I guess most auto parts stores could sell me points and condensor if I give them the Duraspark number. By the way, what does the "brain" under the dash do?

Also, out of curiousity, since the oil filter is not mounted to the motor, do all Superformance cars use a Motorcraft FL1AH filter? Even the big blocks?

Thank you,

Jack

Remod · #7 (**permalink**) 11-23-2006, 08:48 PM

Jack,

The next thing you need to do is join the "SCOF" forum. Thats short for Superformance Cobra Owners Forum. It is a goldmine of info for Superformance owners.

Performanceunlimited.com/scof/

Bob In Ct · #8 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 06:42 AM

Mobil1 does not have a 20W-50 weight. They do have 0W-20, 0W-30, 0W-40,5W-30 10W-30 and 15W-50. I use 5W-30 in my windsor with lots of pressure. Use the lightest oil you can that gives you the pressure you need. Use a quality filter (Mobil1, Wix, AC, etc.). Mobil1 info at www.mobil1.com .

While we have a guage to measure pressure, we do not have a guage to measure flow. If the oil you're using is too thick the flow may suffer while the extra pressure is just pushing oil out the bypass.

Bob

JayBar · #9 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 07:27 AM

You don't have points and a condenser unless the engine builder found an old distrubiter in a junk yard and used it.
AS to the theory of filling up the engine with oil till the dip stick reads full is not a sound theory. The stick may not be installed and calibrated correctly.

If you have a CAnton 7 qt pan it will take 7 qts including the filter. I called Canton and asked. If you have an oil cooler you may want to add another 1/4 to 1/2 qt. Then check the level on the stick and if it does not indicate a correct level, get a file and "notch" the stick at the current level and you will be good to go in the future.

kayakjack · #10 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 07:55 AM

Bob,

Interesting about Mobil 1 not having 20w50. That's what the owner said was in it, so I guess I really don't know what it has. He said that Olthoff recommended the oil viscosity and he followed it. I'll call Olthoff Racing and get their recommendation. I would like to run thinner oil if possible.

JayB,

Great advice about oil quantity. Again, Olthoff will know the correct amount. It's just a standard 351w SVO 385hp motor they routinely install. The car does have an oil cooler. As an aside, I was monitoring the gauges pretty carefully on my drive home. It looked like the oil temp went up about ten degrees from time to time, then came down. I'm not sure, but I think if a truck was ahead of me it went up. I wasn't close to any vehicles in front of me (didn't want any stone chips), but I think the trucks messed up the air going into the oil cooler. I suspect that's what's going on, but I'm not sure.

Jack

edmonds007 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 10:28 AM

Jack,

I know this thread isn't really active anymore but I'm curious about the temp range you were showing on your drive home.

And congratulations on your new car!
Bryan

kayakjack · #12 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 10:58 AM

Bryan,

I think the water temp was around 70C which translate to about 160F. Seems a little cool. It would go up a bit if I stressed the motor a bit. Oil temp ranged from the same as water temp to a bit higher.

By the way, the car is sitting now until I diagnose and fix the source of my slight trans leak. I just haven't had time to deal with it. I think it is the speedometer cable. Might be the rear trans seal. I don't think it is any of the trans gaskets. Hope not. I've got three quarts of the recommended GM Synchromesh to go in it.

I'm going to take the advice given above and change the oil to Mobil 1 0w40.

I miss not driving it already. I've just had the car a couple of weeks and it's like a party everytime I get near it. Winters are not bad in Atlanta. I should get some fun drives.

Jack