It isn't uncommon for some engines to be a little noisier at an idle with a 0w-x engine oil...especially if the engine isn't warmed up yet, in that case it is usually the piston rocking in the bore a little bit. Conventional 5w-30 or 10w-30 will do just fine in this application, so if you want to save that high-buck oil for the 07Chevy I won't tell.SMITTY wrote:I was getting ahead of myself trying to order parts before I even got the engine out of the truck ....
Your right - good point. Definitely got to see what I've got in there. Only time I ever heard the slightest hint of rod knock was after the engine swap - I ran Amsoil 0w-30 because I had a case of it sitting unused, and it's damn good oil. When the engine idled down real low, you could slightly hear a dull knock. Haven't heard that since. Now I;ve got 10w-30 Zrod in there.
Engine had 146k before the swap. Now I estimate it (odometer quit) to be roughly 160k miles. Not like these engines are failure prone to start with ... but I'd rather not have to get in here again.
I think at the very least I'll do the mains & rod bearings, and throw a set of valve seals in.
My dad runs synthetic 15w40 in a high mileage Vortec 5.7...works good for him.When I first got my F350 (V10) the engine oil in it was way overdue for a change...I had some synthetic 5w-20 on hand so that is what went in it. The next time I started it cold I almost *censored* my pants, that thing clattered, tapped, knocked...sounded like it was going to blow! After about 10 minutes idling it quieted down. I assume whatever had been used in it before was a heavier viscosity, and/or the fresh oil moved some carbon into the valvetrain. I gave the engine and gas tank a shock dose of "Kreen" from Kano Labs, ran it for a few days, and drained out what looked like truck stop coffee. I had some HDEO 10w-30 in a pail, so that is what it got...quiet as a mouse since then. That reminds me, it has been about 1.5 years since I changed the oil in that beast...better get to it before the snow flies!
