Average 750 miles per year. What's the least expensive oil and filter to use for 1970 440?

[Northcoast300h]

Hi. I bought an abused and forgotten about 300 Hurst and did a low budget "restoration". I thought engine would need a rebuild soon, so I usually bought whatever oil and filter was on sale..... but 20 yrs later its still going, starts great and runs pretty smooth. I put about 500-750 miles a year on it, so I change the oil every 2 yrs. Oil is always dark and smells like carbon, so rings are probably shot, (compression test wasn't the best). I don't notice it burning any oil, but a spark plug fouls out (bad valve) and needs cleaning about every 5yrs.

Anyhow, my question is:

I'm still too afraid to try sub $5 filters. If anyone used these, please advise any issues I could have and remember I change oil and filter every 1500 miles.

I noticed Wix 51068's are low cost at $8.75. Anyone use these?

Am I correct to think even the cheapest oil sold today (rated at GF5) is way more clean and refined then what was used in 1970? Or think any brand oil is good for 1500 miles? Only issue is these cheap new oil brands don't include amount of magnesium and other ingredients older engines might need....but my Hurst doesn't seems to mind...yet.

Sometimes I get lucky and find Synthetic Blend below $3 qt...but we all know "Blend" could be only 1% Synthetic.

Thanks.

 

[polara71]

Wix had been the go to brand for 20 years. Now, they're made in China. No more Wix for me.

 

[volksworld]

Wix was bought by Mann Hummel, a german OE supplier...they're still made in North Carolina and many of their european car ones are made in Germany, Poland etc...Napa Gold filters used to be Wix but aren't any more, they are something asian so that's where the confusion might be....when all else fails walk into Oreilly's and open the box...

 

[sixpkrt]

WIX 51515R oil filter is what I use on all my 440's. Spending the few extra bucks on a proven product each year, for one maybe two oil changes, on a car that is driven seasonally is worth the peace of mind to me than risking engine failure due to any cheapo oil filter.

 

[CBODY67]

Look for Motorcraft FL-1A oil filters. Usually at WalMart.

IF the oil is smelling like "gas", you need to check the operation of the automatic choke and how FAST it opens! I'm presuming the fouled spark plug is black and sooty?

For "higher zinc" motor oil, Valvoline VR-2. Some WalMarts sell it, too. Full-syn is about $10.00/quart. There is also a non-syn version for less money. IF you get the carb operation cleaned-up and run the engine long enough each time (about 30 minues or more), then your oil and filter change interval can be LENGTHENED. Again, IF you get the tuning on the engine right!

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[Gerald Morris]

You can get a 6 quart box of Havoline 10W30 or 10W40 for $23. I use it with 2 oz of Lucas break-in ZDDP and score Wix 51515 filters for $5.63 on 'Zon. That comes to just under $4/qt for good grade petroleum motor oil, and my engine has been running w that for over 6 yrs now.

 

[Gryzbyx60]

My 66 Newport, 383, gets WIX 51515 (Rock Auto, 12/cs, $4.96 ea) and Shell Rotella T4, 15w40 (WalMart, 3 gallon Eco-Bag, $47.88)
Decent quality products at fair prices. Rotella T4 has over 1200 ppm of zinc. Zinc supplement can be used but not necessary. $25 DIY oil change!

 

[Gerald Morris]

My 66 Newport, 383, gets WIX 51515 (Rock Auto, 12/cs, $4.96 ea) and Shell Rotella T4, 15w40 (WalMart, 3 gallon Eco-Bag, $47.88)
Decent quality products at fair prices. Rotella T4 has over 1200 ppm of zinc. Zinc supplement can be used but not necessary. $25 DIY oil change!

Right on! I used to do the diesel engine oil for ZDDP also, and Rotella T4 was my 2nd choice. It's good stuff. I went then w Motorcraft's diesel eng oil, which has like 1220 ppm zinc. I like to use 10W30 most of the time, though in summer 10W40 or 15W40 does Gertrude good too. How much does shipping run on the oil filter from Rock Auto? The main reason I no longer use them much is that I got better overall prices when shipping cost got factored in. Still, as we both have shown, an oil change can be had for ~$25 at home. Our OP should take heart.

 

[Gerald Morris]

Hi. I bought an abused and forgotten about 300 Hurst and did a low budget "restoration". I thought engine would need a rebuild soon, so I usually bought whatever oil and filter was on sale..... but 20 yrs later its still going, starts great and runs pretty smooth. I put about 500-750 miles a year on it, so I change the oil every 2 yrs. Oil is always dark and smells like carbon, so rings are probably shot, (compression test wasn't the best). I don't notice it burning any oil, but a spark plug fouls out (bad valve) and needs cleaning about every 5yrs.

Anyhow, my question is:

I'm still too afraid to try sub $5 filters. If anyone used these, please advise any issues I could have and remember I change oil and filter every 1500 miles.

I noticed Wix 51068's are low cost at $8.75. Anyone use these?

Am I correct to think even the cheapest oil sold today (rated at GF5) is way more clean and refined then what was used in 1970? Or think any brand oil is good for 1500 miles? Only issue is these cheap new oil brands don't include amount of magnesium and other ingredients older engines might need....but my Hurst doesn't seems to mind...yet.

Sometimes I get lucky and find Synthetic Blend below $3 qt...but we all know "Blend" could be only 1% Synthetic.

Thanks.

Be SURE your filter isn't a sino-counterfeit! I look over what I get from Bezo$ carefully too. If you use a moderate synthetic, you can probably let that motor sit for 5 yrs before changing oil again. I don't run synthetics in my engine because it was last rebuilt before they had really caught the market, and many of the gaskets leak more when I put synthetic oil in my crankcase. I plan to build my next engine, and will build it for synthetic oil, though I'll retain a flat tappet cam, so will continue to want extra zinc. Best of Mopar Motoring to you!

 

[polara71]

Wix was bought by Mann Hummel, a german OE supplier...they're still made in North Carolina and many of their european car ones are made in Germany, Poland etc...Napa Gold filters used to be Wix but aren't any more, they are something asian so that's where the confusion might be....when all else fails walk into Oreilly's and read the box...

Negative, made in China. OR it will say on the box country of Origin is on filter. In the case of one of my filters, made in Taiwan.

 

[Gryzbyx60]

Right on! I used to do the diesel engine oil for ZDDP also, and Rotella T4 was my 2nd choice. It's good stuff. I went then w Motorcraft's diesel eng oil, which has like 1220 ppm zinc. I like to use 10W30 most of the time, though in summer 10W40 or 15W40 does Gertrude good too. How much does shipping run on the oil filter from Rock Auto? The main reason I no longer use them much is that I got better overall prices when shipping cost got factored in. Still, as we both have shown, an oil change can be had for ~$25 at home. Our OP should take heart.

As for Shipping from Rock I offset that by ordering the filters, by the case, when I NEED to buy a pile of parts!

I must disagree with Polara71, WIX filter in hand "HECHO EN LOS EE.UU."!!!

 

[Big_John]

Negative, made in China. OR it will say on the box country of Origin is on filter. In the case of one of my filters, made in Taiwan.

I just bought three 51515 Wix within the past month and all are USA made. The one I have on the shelf for my Fords is also USA made.

That said, I do think I had one, probably for one of the Fords, that was Mexican made. I'm not sure though. I haven't seen one from China, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I haven't seen any "cut them apart" comparisons lately, but there's only a few companies making oil filters, so what you buy as a substitute could be a Wix or most anything.

 

[volksworld]

the last thing I want to do is turn this political...but with rumors of China taking over Taiwan and potential tariffs on the horizon maybe Wix was sourcing asian filters for a while but they no longer are? My familys fleet of VWs use Wix1393's...when they came from Napa they were german Mann filters in Wix boxes...now the ones from Oreilly are US made...and they are visibly different

 

[Big_John]

Hi. I bought an abused and forgotten about 300 Hurst and did a low budget "restoration". I thought engine would need a rebuild soon, so I usually bought whatever oil and filter was on sale..... but 20 yrs later its still going, starts great and runs pretty smooth. I put about 500-750 miles a year on it, so I change the oil every 2 yrs. Oil is always dark and smells like carbon, so rings are probably shot, (compression test wasn't the best). I don't notice it burning any oil, but a spark plug fouls out (bad valve) and needs cleaning about every 5yrs.

Anyhow, my question is:

I'm still too afraid to try sub $5 filters. If anyone used these, please advise any issues I could have and remember I change oil and filter every 1500 miles.

I noticed Wix 51068's are low cost at $8.75. Anyone use these?

Am I correct to think even the cheapest oil sold today (rated at GF5) is way more clean and refined then what was used in 1970? Or think any brand oil is good for 1500 miles? Only issue is these cheap new oil brands don't include amount of magnesium and other ingredients older engines might need....but my Hurst doesn't seems to mind...yet.

Sometimes I get lucky and find Synthetic Blend below $3 qt...but we all know "Blend" could be only 1% Synthetic.

Thanks.

View attachment 726828

If you are only changing every 2 years, does saving a few bucks really make a difference? I'm as cheap as the next guy....

I just bought Wix 51515 USA made filters for $6 each on Amazon about a month ago. I see there's a sale at $4.79, but that's if you have a prime account. 51515 are the longer filters that your car originally came with and not the short filter that they started having to use on small block A bodies. Longer filter = more filter area.

I use Penn Grade high zinc green oil at ~$40 for a 5 quart bottle from Amazon. So, $46 for an oil change for me using a good filter and good oil. Is that really too far out of line for what you want to pay?

 

[Gryzbyx60]

the last thing I want to do is turn this political...but with rumors of China taking over Taiwan and potential tariffs on the horizon maybe Wix was sourcing asian filters for a while but they no longer are? My familys fleet of VWs use Wix1393's...when they came from Napa they were german Mann filters in Wix boxes...now the ones from Oreilly are US made...and they are visibly different

Manufacturers do what they have to in order to keep the "Supply Chain" flowing. In was informed that MOOG did this during CoVid. Supposedly, most of these parts have flushed out of the system. I was a Counterman for 25 years and saw my share of trash passed off as parts! It's not really Politics, it's more "The Almighty DOLLAR"!$!
But, I am proof of Made in the USA. I work for a company that made shifter parts for the MOPAR Late Model 6 Speeds. (see pics) I welded the last 20,000 or so. We also made the collar the boot and ball attach to.

 

[Gerald Morris]

If you are only changing every 2 years, does saving a few bucks really make a difference? I'm as cheap as the next guy....

I just bought Wix 51515 USA made filters for $6 each on Amazon about a month ago. I see there's a sale at $4.79, but that's if you have a prime account. 51515 are the longer filters that your car originally came with and not the short filter that they started having to use on small block A bodies. Longer filter = more filter area.

I use Penn Grade high zinc green oil at ~$40 for a 5 quart bottle from Amazon. So, $46 for an oil change for me using a good filter and good oil. Is that really too far out of line for what you want to pay?

Good price on Penn Grade! I've never seen a Wix made in any part of China, though the last Crapa Gold I bought was. I like the Ford FL-1A as my Plan B filterm and have used them. While I don't quibble on the cost effectiveness of good oil changing, as an old junkie w 4 young females to feed, I gotta make EVERY PENNY count. I really like that price on Penn Grade. I'll research it again. Very tempting.....

 

[Gryzbyx60]

If you are only changing every 2 years, does saving a few bucks really make a difference? I'm as cheap as the next guy....

I just bought Wix 51515 USA made filters for $6 each on Amazon about a month ago. I see there's a sale at $4.79, but that's if you have a prime account. 51515 are the longer filters that your car originally came with and not the short filter that they started having to use on small block A bodies. Longer filter = more filter area.

I use Penn Grade high zinc green oil at ~$40 for a 5 quart bottle from Amazon. So, $46 for an oil change for me using a good filter and good oil. Is that really too far out of line for what you want to pay?

For me, it's twice a year. I drive my 66 Newport daily, about 5,000 miles a year. This is MY idea of "Fahrvergnügen"!! Living in CT, it's fairly economical to run. I OWN it, no payment, Insurance is $220 annually, Personal Property tax is $16 a year. This offsets the 10 MPG....a little! But, I do get more SMILES per Gallon!!

 

[Gerald Morris]

Manufacturers do what they have to in order to keep the "Supply Chain" flowing. In was informed that MOOG did this during CoVid. Supposedly, most of these parts have flushed out of the system. I was a Counterman for 25 years and saw my share of trash passed off as parts! It's not really Politics, it's more "The Almighty DOLLAR"!$!

Bro, a GREAT DEAL OF POLICY IS THE ALMIGHTY GOLD! (use currency of your choice) I allow for God, Blood and Soil in for the small sliver of the rest of that pie, but WEALTH oft is a BIG motive.

 

[Gerald Morris]

For me, it's twice a year. I drive my 66 Newport daily, about 5,000 miles a year. This is MY idea of "Fahrvergnügen"!! Living in CT, it's fairly economical to run. I OWN it, no payment, Insurance is $220 annually, Personal Property tax is $16 a year. This offsets the 10 MPG....a little! But, I do get more SMILES per Gallon!!

That's almost identical to my own driving habits, except I haul around my Grrrlz in the Family Newport. That's why we own one. High SPG down here too.

 

[Gryzbyx60]

That's almost identical to my own driving habits, except I haul around my Grrrlz in the Family Newport. That's why we own one. High SPG down here too.

SUPER UBER DADDY to the rescue!! HAHAHAHA!!