This post had two objectives: I wanted to offer my approach to no frills service, and get feedback and advice on that. Thanks to all for the generous response. It was also an experiment in using PBucket pix as a medium. Some lessons were learned.
I will build a better ramp, which keeps the car as level as possible on my steep piece of land, and will need a little more height to allow my own sump pan to clear the number plate. I have all the necessary tools in a kit ready for the next change. A spare filter is on the shelf, to save waiting for special order. There has been very good advice about prefilling the cartridge with oil, and a mention of sparkless cranking before startup, to avoid stress on valve gear, pump and so on.
Oil brand and grade was Castrol Magnatec, and I can hear someone flinching already. Availability, following what was already in there, its popularity with more than a few forum members, and my own assessment of climate, expected mileage and light duty; all these influenced me. Hope I shall not regret it.
I have followed all the discussion on additives such as molybdenum and ZDDP, including users' opinions, a column by Bob the Oil Guy, numerous reports from boffins in lab coats - all available on the net - and advice from my trusted oil man in the local store, who guides me on tractors, mowers, bikes and cars, and has usually been right. I reject most of the additives as mere snake oil; detergents which should already be in the oil if needed. I reluctantly reject ZDDP because of its demonstrated capacity to damage catalytic converters, even though a new cat beats having to do a top end repair. Also, I have yet to find anyone in the car trade along Bass Coast who has heard of it or who cares. Odd, given the experience of owners in, say, West Oz. The Mustang club in the USA seems ambivalent, and has in any case the choice of one oil brand which still has ZDDP as an ingredient. So do numerous diesel oils, but the white coat brigade warn that factors such as 'shear', built into those oils, will suit a high compression, low rev engine, but may not do well in a lower compression, freer spinning engine such as the M117. Looks like moly will do.
I freely admit that I know very little about this important topic, but have tried to do balanced research, and would hate to do damage to my motor through ignorance. If a LOCAL member has a clearer view of things, please let me know. Because of availability issues, US and UK guidance may not be as helpful. Thanks all.
Cheerio,
Rod.
