Hey guys, is full synthetic oil ok in a stock 292 or just a waste of money. I want to get the most out of my engine, but not ready to pay up for a rebuild just yet. How bout those engine flushes....???

1964 F100 292YBlock

Actually, synthetic is not so good for these engines due to solid lifter requirements. Do a search on this forum, there is tons of great info about oil choices here. Most use either deisel oil or conventional with zddp additive.

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

It's ok to run a full synthetic in these engines as long as it has at least a 40w such as 10w40 15w40 15w50 and so on. Always make sure a new engine has been broken in first before using synthetic. Even using conventional oils still use at least a 10w40 ( keeping the 40 in the equation ) because that seems to be where the most zink is available be it synthetic or conventional. I've been running synyhetics for hundreds of thousands of miles in everything I own with far less fewer problems than with conventional oils and another thing, you can go longer between oil changes which in the long term you save money and wear and tear on your y-block engine.

-Gary Burnette-

I’ll add that regardless of the oil being used, maintaining ~1300-1350ppm zinc/phosphorus (ZDDP) in the oil is highly recommended in insuring adequate anti-wear additives for the flat tappet camshafts and lifters.  There are a number of synthetic oils out there that do have the correct amounts of ZDDP in the lower viscosity grades such as Amsoil but you’ll have to search them out.  You’ll find that these particular oils are not API approved but that’s simply because many times they are made for a specific application and simply fall outside of the API specifications.  As Gary brings up, all 'SM' oils with '40' or higher in the labeling will have sufficient amounts of ZDDP for the older engines.

 

Here are just a few of the past threads covering the oil subject.  Using the search function will bring up more.

Detegent versus non-detergent

General discussion 1

General discussion 2

General discussion 3

General discussion 4

Gil Baumgartner oil study

Multi-viscosity oil clarification

What is ZDDP?

Why to not use diesel oil in a gasoline engine

ZDDP

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks fellas. I need to to my homework now and find what works best! Im just trying to get the most life out of her. The PO said he rebuilt the Y in 92ish....but who knows for sure. Motor still runs great in my opinion. Now from what I understand, the 292 only takes 5 quarts of oil? and you add it through the valley cover tube? I found this odd. I was going to purchase a finned valley cover for it but theres no opening for the breather tube. hmmm

1964 F100 292YBlock

John M. sells a finned valley cover with oil tube. I drilled mine out to take a chrome scrub fill tube. Or you can put a fill cap in a valve cover. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I run Amsoil 20/50 in my 56, it is a full synthetic and states right on the bottle that it is for use with flat tappet cam, motors. A little more expensive but other than the ocasional top up, it is one oil change every spring for me.

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

I've used Mobil One 10/40 in everything I own for years,from lawn mowers to Cummins truck engines,including my Y-blocks.I've never had any kind of problem using it,except for a couple of extremely high mileage engines tending to leak a little more.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

Thanks for everyones input. I went with Redline synthetic Oil in 20/50 weight. It has a high ZDDP and says it to is good for flat tapped cams.

1964 F100 292YBlock