Ford 460 V8 oil consumption

Geocritter wrote:
... How soon? Very soooon… “Romancing the Stone” (LOL) It’s funny how silly lines from old movies can stick in your brain....

That's hilarious, my DW and I use that line all the time. That movie is one of my all time favorites. Just look at those snappers.

For the starter, don't forget to look at the ground strap closely. If the starter doesn't have a solid ground, then guess what the symptom would be. Even if all you did was just squirt a little WD40 on the ground strap ends and let them soak/clean you'll be ahead of the game. That might be all it takes even.

Hi all y’all,

Sorry I’m so remiss in getting back to this thread. I’ve been really distracted getting used to the Tucson area. I’m afraid I’ve never lived in a desert before.
First, thanks for all those who helped answer my question about normal 460 oil usage. Since I only just changed the oil I’ll stay with the Mobile 1 synthetic for now and maybe try the Rotella oil during my next oil change.

Stim & topflite51 I replaced the PCV valve when I changed the oil, however thank you, that’s an easy maintenance issue to forget.

John&Joey thanks for the lubrication diagram and yes I did miss the grease fitting on the steering box when I greased it a few months ago. As for my starting problem, I haven’t addressed it yet but will soon. How soon? Very soooon… “Romancing the Stone” (LOL) It’s funny how silly lines from old movies can stick in your brain. I’ll post the answer when I figure out the problem, I just haven’t tried yet.

RLS7201 thanks for the calculating engine RPMs for me. To be frank I’m a mathematical moron, for example I can solve physics problems by constructing a 3D model of the problem in my head, but I’ve always been at a loss to supply the math needed to “prove” the problem. C’est la vie!

Thanks again for all the help.

Steve

I ran into a similar problem on my wifes 2005 altima.we purchased car new in fall of 04.I have always used dino oil. Our car would burn about 1 quart every 5000 miles .it wasnt a great amount so i thought nothing of it.

Last fall I let a parts store saleman convince that because of the mileage on my car(146000) I should switch to a synthetic brand designed for engines with high mileage.With the synthetic oil comsumption more than doubled.

After switching back to dino based oil my usage went back to what it previously was.

On my 460 I use 15w-40 rotella on while I have some usage it's very minor.try switching to regular motor oil and see if it helps your problem

I have a 97 460 with just under 50,000 on it use Mobil 1 10w40. Change the oil and filter every Oct/Nov when putting in storage. I have yet to add oil between changes. Your usage is abnormal, before replacing oil seals or for that matter anything else I would replace the PCV valve. They are cheap!! The other thing that comes to mind and has already been suggested is engine speed, I cruise at 60 and my rpms are steady at 2200. BB's and high rpms are not the best of friends.

Has the emissions system been serviced lately?
A bad PCV Valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) might be bad letting it suck oil.
Could also be intake manifold gasket. ??
Is it smoking at all?

We used to have a 97 with the 460, almost never need to add oil between changes. Well over 100,000 miles on it.

Your oil consumption is not normal. As previously mentioned, have a look at the valve stem seals.
High RPM shouldn't be an issue. At 62 MPH, you engine is turning very close to 2,400 RPM. Do the math if you want. E4OD over drive = 0.721 to 1. 5.13 to 1 rear end gear. 32" diameter tires.
The previous owner of my 95 F53 Bounder used non-synthetic oil for the first 38,000 miles. I switch to synthetic at purchase and now have 125,000 miles on the ol 460. I have used Amsoil, Mobile 1 and now use Syntec from Walmart. They all performed the same. I change oil between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. It's down about a 1/2 a quart at change time.
Synthetic oil does not clean an engine any better than non-synthetic. It has almost the same detergent package. It does not have the waxes that are inherent to non-synthetic oil and flows much better at cold start ups.

Richrd

Due to an irresponsible and unnecessary response to a post I made on another thread I request that the administrators delete my membership from this forum. I have over the years attempted to lend my 38 years of automotive experience to members and have been met with rebuttals/responses that I consider direct attacks/ridicule. This is the reason that this post has also been deleted.
SEE YA,
Randy Bergen

Just like in the old gas, we don't sweat the small stuff.

More then likely the oil scrapper ring on the piston is full of crud and not moving freely and doing it's job.

STOP USING FULL SYN and switch to Rotella 15w40. This is what that 460 likes, but more important it is an oil that can be used in diesels. It is a very high detergent oil and hopefully will free up the oil scrapper rings.

As a side bar Full syn is great for your daily driver, but doesn't make a lot of sense for a MH that gets run then sits. Acid can form in the oil and eat away at the main rod bearings. You would be much better off prior to sitting for an extended time to dump the oil (not the filter) and replace with new Rotella. Ever 5000-7000 miles do a full blown oil change.

BTW, did you ever fix your slow starter issue?

Here is a pic of all the grease points for the 460 in case you've never seen it before. Some miss the zerk up on the steering.



ON EDIT:

The leak down test will fail if your rings are stuck in the pistons. This could lead some to assume you need an engine overhaul, when all you need is high detergent oil and more frequent changes with the "good" stuff.

It's not a good idea to use a synthetic oil if the original engine has always used the common oil. The reason for not using synthetic oil : It works too well > The s- oil has a tendency to remove all the normal build up around the rings and valves and when that is accomplished the s- oil will slip by the rings and valves, you will have a little more oil usage than before. Synthetic oil is designed and used in newer vehicles. I to, have a 460 with 92,0000 and I use 10-40 with changes every 2800 miles ( motor home) I also have a town car (460) With 272000 plus and use the same oil :) changes at the same time. Both vehicles are highway miles. Now I'm not an expert, but if you ask a GOOD mechanic he can explain the differences better. make your own comparison :) :)