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View Full Version : Quick question on oil & a handy discovery



EZ$
06-17-2025, 06:07 PM
So, I'm coming up on 1,000 miles, and I need to do another oil change. Up to this point I've been running Castrol 10/30 dino oil. Just wondering if I should be thinking about changing to a synthetic, or a different dino oil. Anymore, I don't know anything about all the new oils.

On another note, I discovered something that I can't believe I never knew about after following the forums for the last 13 or so years, and all during my excessively long build of 10 years. I knew about riv-nuts, which are great for into any type of metal, but if you're looking into placing one in the fiberglass body, they're less than optimum. I just recently discovered "Plus-Nuts". They have a much wider shoulder on the exposed face, and the back side, rather than just mushrooming out, opens up like a drywall anchor in a Plus sign +, giving you a much more secure attachment. I found this out when one of my brake cooling scoops, which were riv-nutted under the front cowl, had one of the two riv-nuts fail on the way to cars and coffee about a month ago. The Plus +nuts are as easy as riv-nuts to install, but you can be sure of a more solid result.

I realize that this may be common knowledge to some, but since I never saw any info on these in over ten years, I figured someone else may be in the same boat.

JMD
06-17-2025, 07:08 PM
Modern synthetics are superior oils, but it really depends on your application. A lot of engine builders recommend not using synthetic oil in an old school SBF, but I don't know why. BluePrint says not to use synthetic in their pushrod engines, but they say if you do to wait 9k miles before doing so. Again, no idea why. After the engine is broken in I would imagine you can use either, but everything about oil usage is application specific so be wary of generalities. I recommend finding out what your engine was designed to use and stick with that.

I believe Mike Bray recently posted a youtube video by The Motor Oil Geek. His videos are all very educational and highly recommended if you want to spend the time getting educated about modern oils and the science behind all sorts of myths and general rules of thumb (which may or may not be legitimate).

EZ$
06-18-2025, 11:38 AM
Thanks JMD. I'll do a search for that video.

Mike.Bray
06-18-2025, 01:49 PM
Here you go.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?51546-Diesel-Oils-in-Gas-Engines

EZ$
06-18-2025, 05:37 PM
Awesome Mike! That'll save me some time.