Hey guys, this site was recommended to me.  I recently purchased a 1961 Ford F100 Uni with a 292.  I haven't gotten under it yet but I think it still has the original "canister" type oil filter.  I'd like to do a good oil change on this and if its not already on possibly add the spin filter adapter.  My question is what type of oil is recommended?  I've been to use a detergent oil but honestly do not know what that is, or just use conventional with a detergent additive.  I don't think the oil has been changed on this truck for some time.  Any advice would be great....Duke.

I honestly do not know why this posted twice and I apologize for that.

I use 10-30 Castrol in mine and change every 6 months no matter the milage. I changed to a spin on filter by buying and original and not a replacement. You will get a lot of recommendations here. Not sure if you should use any kind of engine flush ( others will chime in) but I have read some put in a quart of ATF with the oil change and drive the truck until every thing gets good and hot, maybe 30-40 miles, then drain the oil hot. Other products work for this too. Marvel Mystery Oil comes to mind. Good Luck and welcome....

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Use a regular detergent oil.  A 10/40 would be a good choice.  Most oil today is detergent oil, especially the multi viscosity ones.

I thought Ford went to spin-ons in all vehicles starting with 1957 (trucks come later??)


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Welcome Duke. The spin on adapter is readily available, a little tip use some contact glue to attach the O ring to the plate then attach it. Oil, well everyone has an opinion, some even run diesel oil.. If the engine is in good condition a good quality multi grade mineral oil 20 -50 wt with a decent level of ZDDP in it should be all you need if your in a moderate climate.  Are you mechanically minded? The Y Block can have issues with getting oil to the rockers. It could pay to remove the pan and see how much gunk is in there and if the pickup screen is blocked. Take your rocker covers off and run the engine and see if there is oil getting to the rockers, not a lot comes out and it can take a while for it to come through one side but you should always see evidence of oil on each , if its dry you have problems.  



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Thanks for the replies. Not sure what year Ford went to the spin filter but mine is the cartridge type. Ive found these at parts stores but some people keep their original in. If thats the case do I even remove it at all? Ive heard good and bad about the conversion kit but the contact glue is a good idea.

Thanks for the oil recommendations. Ill look at a 10w 40. Ive also heard of people using the zddp additive. I'm mechanically inclined but never done much engine work to be honest.

Dukeroche
Just to add some information about your newly acquired 292. All of the Y Block engines have solid lifter camshafts. Your choice of oil has to include ZDDP (which is zinc) in its composition.

In the good old days zinc was a common additive to the oils used when these engines were new. Nowadays the quanity of zinc has been reduced in the oil chemestry.  Lack of zinc in the oil used will produce catostrophic results - camshaft failure,premature lifter wear and more.

If not absolutly sure about the quanity of zinc that is in the oil you choose,please make sure to add some thru the many oil suppliments availiable.

I"m one of those diesel oil using guys.My brand is Shell Rotella at 15-40 weight. It currently has 1100 ppm of zinc in its makeup.Its not advisable to use an oil with less than 1000ppm in any solid lifter engines.

Going to the spin on adaptor is a good idea. Just make sure that the adaptor you acquire is absolutly flat so that it does not leak aroung the gasket.

Theres a lot of good guys here to help you along as we all love our Y Blocks.

Oldmics

The Shell Rotella 15w-40 has been recommended by several people so that might be what I go with.  I would much prefer the spin on filter so an adaption might be what I do.  I'm sure its not hard but hopefully the adapter comes with some form of instruction.  Either way I'll keep the old setup somewhere incase I want to go back to it.  What size spin on filter would it get?  I generally go with Motorcraft.  I'm looking to get manuals on Ebay because I honestly don't know how many quarts it would take.

I very much appreciate the help from everyone.  This is a great site.

I think the Motorcraft filter is Fl-1A. It the most common Ford filter. I use the Wix equivalent. Also your motor should hold 5 quarts plus 1 for the filter. Be sure to post some pics of your ride. And welcome aboard!

Durham Missouri

Is this the conversion kit needed?