1997 F53 460 and Rotella R6 5w40

[cm2785]

Hey guys,

I have a 97 F53 chassis with the 460 with 11,000 miles. I just got it so I don’t know what oil was in it but it had a Ford filter and the oil looked surprisingly clean. Today I put a Mobil 1 filter in it and Rotella R6 5w40. I was wondering what you guys think of this oil for my motor and miles. The book calls for 10w30 or 5w30. Thanks!

[cm2785]

Thanks guys, yeah luckily with 11k miles I don’t think it will be that dirty but it is almost 22 years old so who knows but on a good note the oil I took out was very clean!

[John_Joey]

Diesel oil only means it's a higher detergent oil. That's all.

On a gas engine expect the first couple of oil changes to be pretty black if there are some miles on the engine. After that it will look normal to the gas engine wrench monkey.

[11178adm]

I have used rotella t6 5W40 my gas engines for the last 5 years with no problem 2, 5.4 fords, 1, 2.3 ford and 1, 3.0 ford all are high mileage 190,000+ miles. also 8.3 cummins in my MOHO. agree or disagree that is what I do and if they break in half I get to keep both halves and put them back together.

[lenr]

OK, never looked into criss crossing oil types. I just stick with what they are designed for.

[gutfelt]

lenr wrote:
Rotella is a diesel oil. OP should use gasoline rated oil. Converter fouling may result. Mobile 1 makes good synthetic wide range oil if that is the goal.

really ? well here what I found

Not only does 5W40 Rotella T6 meet API SM specifications (oil for gasoline engines), but it's sold as mixed-fleet oil which means it's specifically intended to simplify fleet maintenance by using it in both gasoline and diesel engines.

[cm2785]

lenr wrote:
Rotella is a diesel oil. OP should use gasoline rated oil. Converter fouling may result. Mobile 1 makes good synthetic wide range oil if that is the goal.

I don’t have a converter. Diesel oil is fine for gasoline too, in fact it’s one of the best. Mobil 1 is no longer using full synthetic stock so I’ve dumped it.

[lenr]

Rotella is a diesel oil. OP should use gasoline rated oil. Converter fouling may result. Mobile 1 makes good synthetic wide range oil if that is the goal.

[Yankee_Clipper]

I use Castrol 5W30 and have no trouble. I agree with the idea of not skimping with the quality of the oil filter. FRAM TG8 for mine.

[gutfelt]

MountainAir05 wrote:
You also will loose MPG with the 0W40.

no you will not

[MountainAir05]

You also will loose MPG with the 0W40.

[gutfelt]

cm2785 wrote:
Thanks guys. I’ve been doing a lot of research and it seems a lot of people on that bob the oil guy site and many fleet services use 15-40 in the 460, but I thought that was pushing it.. it does get over 100 here but not that often. I just don’t want to do any damage going from 30 to 40..

you will be more than 100% fine with 5-40 oil so no worrys there what so ever

[Sam_Spade]

Bruce Brown wrote:
Agreed. The manufacturers recommend those oils for a reason. If they wanted 5-40 They would have recommended 5-40. :W

I don't think that 5 weights were commonly available in 1996.

Was there a typo in the original post ? I don't think they make an R6.

I use Rotella T6 in both engine and generator.
I think it is 5W40.

Truth be known, the engine will NOT know the difference with a small deviation in the viscosity rating.

The bottom number for synthetics is often lower because it flows better when cold; that does not necessarily mean that it really is "thinner", especially if the top number is the same.

[John_Joey]

Your owner manual will also state what weight for extreme condition. A 460 in a Class A is an extreme condition. That is the same engine that goes into cars and much smaller vehicles.

My F53 460 went south for the winters. I ran Rotella 15w40 with no ill effects. Remember 5w in the old days was either for cold weather or to get better fuel economy. I bought that rig with 32K on it and sold it with close to 70K on it with no engine issues at all.

[Dutch_12078]

I ran Mobil 1 High Mileage formula 10-30 in our previous coach's 460. The High Mileage has a higher ZDDP level (phosphorous & zinc) than many other oils, for better lubrication/reduced wear of the flat tappets and cams in the 460. 5-30 or 10-30 are the weights recommended in the Ford service manual.

[cm2785]

Thanks guys. I’ve been doing a lot of research and it seems a lot of people on that bob the oil guy site and many fleet services use 15-40 in the 460, but I thought that was pushing it.. it does get over 100 here but not that often. I just don’t want to do any damage going from 30 to 40..