correct oil for older engines

[Nailzs]

hey guys
my dad keeps telling me that with engines as old as these u can not use modern oil because of the API rating, as the oils are deisgned for the new engines in new cars. he keeps telling me to use rotella 10-40 b/c of the older api rating this oil has...any truth to this? do i have to use the rotella with the older api rating or can u use modern conventional oil w/ no problems? lifter tick/tap if that helps any, and i plan on using BG MOA in this thing
also, would u guys recommend usin some of that engine flush stuff to clean out the sludge(if any)?
thx!

 

[exbass94]

This is only an issue for engines with flat tappet cams. I don't believe the 2.9 has a flat tappet cam (could be wrong about that) so you can use any modern oil. Even engines that do have flat tappets can use a modern oil after proper cam break-in. All of those Jeep 4.0s seem to be doing fine on modern oils.

 

[fastpakr]

You can use any modern oil of the appropriate weight that you like.

 

[holyford86]

the 2.9 uses flat tappet hydraulic lifters

 

[Nailzs]

the 2.9 uses flat tappet hydraulic lifters

soo...modern oil is ok? lol

 

[RangerMan64]

What weight would you guys recommend for quieting down those noisy lifters? My truck is quiet until it is hot, and then it starts ticking like crazy?

 

[RangerAndrew1989]

I have put 10w-40 in my truck along with some LUCAS oil stabilizer.Very good stuff. quietens down the engine at start up and when the engine warms up a good bit. my 2.9 does the same thing

 

[RangerMan64]

I have put 10w-40 in my truck along with some LUCAS oil stabilizer.Very good stuff. quietens down the engine at start up and when the engine warms up a good bit. my 2.9 does the same thing

I use 10W-40 as well with some Risoline treatment. My start ups are quiet but once the oil warms up and thins out a bit it sounds like my lifters go on a rampage.

 

[Nailzs]

afaik when u quiet lifeters with thicker oil its because the oil is absorbing the sound, not because its helping your problem. i believe the lifters tick due wear caused by lack of lubricaton due to small oil passages... so if its from lack of lubrication why would u use a thicker oil ?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

afaik when u quiet lifeters with thicker oil its because the oil is absorbing the sound, not because its helping your problem. i believe the lifters tick due wear caused by lack of lubricaton due to small oil passages... so if its from lack of lubrication why would u use a thicker oil ?

+1... Thicker oil just masks your problem really...

 

[zdewald]

i use 5w 30 in my 87 ranger and it ticks a litte but not very loud

 

[Hahnsb2]

i use 5w 30 in my 87 ranger and it ticks a litte but not very loud

Use 10w30 like it's supposed to and it will be quieter.

My 2.9 had 60 PSI warm oil pressure. I ran Mobil1 10w30 for about 20 months/20,000+ miles without changing it, just added a quart every 3-4 weeks (it leaked-burned oil) and changed the filter once. I was cheaper and easier to do it that way. I ran the piss outta that thing and it still had the same oil pressure and didn't tick when I pulled it out. I sold it to some guy so I didn't get a chance to peak inside but I'm betting it was pretty clean.

 

[RustedRanger]

Closer tolerences in new engines is why they can use "thinner" oil. I would use the recomeneded weight oil if the motor was new or had been maintained as it should have been. Once an engine gets worn it will need "thicker" oil just like the older engines because things "open" up as parts and bearings get worn. So if you have wider clearances and use thinner oil than less oil pressure is reaching the upper end of the motor. I know there can be endless debate on this subject but I go by what I have learned over the last 20+ years of working on and studying and reading about cars and trucks. If I know an engine has a lot of wear then I use thicker oil and I have only blown one engine and that was due to the previous owner letting the engine get so low it kicked the oil light on(often). If you use synthetic you can use one weight less than what is called for safely.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

newer oil offers better protection. MOA will make it last forever good choice.

there is also another BG additive that cleans the oil passages and will free the lifters up i forget the name.

i work in a shop that uses BG products and they have me sold, RESULTS don't lie

 

[RangerMan64]

Yeah I know it's just masking the problem, but that's all I can do until I have the money, time, and place to take the heads off and replace the lifters. While I am at it I want to rebuild the motor. The problem is I don't think my apartment complex would like me pulling my motor. LOL