4.9 Engine Oil
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4.9 Engine Oil
My 96 f150, 4.9L, has 138K on the clock. I have always used 10W30 in her with great success. Additionally i have always used the NAPA gold filters. Never had a issue, but the last oil change I had a rattle when i started it after it had been setting for a few days. I found that the back flow valve in the oil filter just wasn't seating and i would get a rattle, chatter or death rattle until it built up oil pressure. I changed the oil filter and it is much better. During my investigation if the cause of this death rattle in the engine and research on line I discovered that Ford had issued a TSB (02-1-9) where the recommend switching to 5W-20 for most 90's and newer engines. My owners manual says 10w-30, so I was a bit surprised. Not sure I understand it or agree with it. I would think with an older engine, and getting some miles on it, you would want a little thickr
er oil for the wear points and somewhat of a cushion.
Ford has come out with a retrofit anti drain back valve that replaced the nipple that the oil filter screws on to, it prevented the oil from draining back to the pan overnight or in a 6-8hour span. prevented the dry starts or death rattle. That part has been discontinued and no longer available. To prevent this death rattle opportunity, i have found a 90 degree oil filter adapter by Ford performance that i'm about to install. It will allow me to install the F1A filter vertical preventing any drainback, and eliminate the wear caused by a dry start. I'm going to install that in the next few days. With that i will do an oil change. So what weight and brand are you using in the 4.9? Any problems? I have been using 10W-30 conventional Valvoline and a NAPA GOLD filter. I have not changed to a synthetic oil, due to some friends experiencing lifter ticking and becoming leakers. So i have just stayed with the conventional oil she has always had.
So what are you guy using? Appreciate hearing your thoughts. Thanks....
er oil for the wear points and somewhat of a cushion.
Ford has come out with a retrofit anti drain back valve that replaced the nipple that the oil filter screws on to, it prevented the oil from draining back to the pan overnight or in a 6-8hour span. prevented the dry starts or death rattle. That part has been discontinued and no longer available. To prevent this death rattle opportunity, i have found a 90 degree oil filter adapter by Ford performance that i'm about to install. It will allow me to install the F1A filter vertical preventing any drainback, and eliminate the wear caused by a dry start. I'm going to install that in the next few days. With that i will do an oil change. So what weight and brand are you using in the 4.9? Any problems? I have been using 10W-30 conventional Valvoline and a NAPA GOLD filter. I have not changed to a synthetic oil, due to some friends experiencing lifter ticking and becoming leakers. So i have just stayed with the conventional oil she has always had.
So what are you guy using? Appreciate hearing your thoughts. Thanks....
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From: Parts Unknown
You have enjoyed good performance with 10w-30 and your NAPA (WIX) filters until you got one bad one. I would stick with what has worked well for you. Personally, I wouldn't mess with additional plumbing to change the filter position and creating an additional point for leakage.
Myself, I have and will continue to use a conventional 10w-30 oil in my 87 (4.9). I am not loyal to any brand but choose a name brand product which is on sale at the time. Filters are mostly Motorcraft FL1A but sometimes use other name brands if I get a good deal.
I believe the change to 5W-20 was meant mostly for their 4.6 to get oil faster to the top of the engine. The 4.9 is a totally different animal and I would not use 5W-20 in my 4.9.
Myself, I have and will continue to use a conventional 10w-30 oil in my 87 (4.9). I am not loyal to any brand but choose a name brand product which is on sale at the time. Filters are mostly Motorcraft FL1A but sometimes use other name brands if I get a good deal.
I believe the change to 5W-20 was meant mostly for their 4.6 to get oil faster to the top of the engine. The 4.9 is a totally different animal and I would not use 5W-20 in my 4.9.
Last edited by raski; Aug 6, 2019 at 06:31 AM.
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From: Memphis, TN, Earth, Milky Way
Follow this chart for smallblock engines:
(phone app link)
My 4.9L has a million miles, so during hot summers (not this year), I'll run 20W50. But I usually run 10W40 or 15W40. Always a name brand conventional oil (Havoline, Castrol, Pennzoil..., not synthetic), and usually a MC FL1A.
The early ADB valve in 80s oil filters was not reliable, which is why the replacement nipple was offered. But modern ADB valves are much better, so relocating the filter is not necessary.
(phone app link)
My 4.9L has a million miles, so during hot summers (not this year), I'll run 20W50. But I usually run 10W40 or 15W40. Always a name brand conventional oil (Havoline, Castrol, Pennzoil..., not synthetic), and usually a MC FL1A.
The early ADB valve in 80s oil filters was not reliable, which is why the replacement nipple was offered. But modern ADB valves are much better, so relocating the filter is not necessary.