Posted by Andrew in MI [172.68.206.25] on Thursday, March 07, 2019 at 22:53:14 :
In Reply to: 230 Engine Oil Recomendations posted by David [162.158.79.26] on Thursday, March 07, 2019 at 19:11:21 :
I own a 1966 WM300 Power Wagon. In the 1966 Dodge Conventional 4x4 Forward Control Service Manual, they state in the Lubrication Section of the manual, to never use any non-detergent oil in any of their truck engines. Which would include my 251 flat head six in my 1966 WM300.
So now you know that they have been using detergent engine oils for at least 53 years.
A lot of people fret over it because they are afraid that by using detergent oil in their flat head engines that it will clean sludge from the engine and in turn cause a mechanical failure.
My opinion of it is, if you have an engine with that kind of sludge problem where you're afraid of chance of mechanical damage from sludge breaking off, then that engine should be pulled from vehicle and disassembled and cleaned and inspected and checked for wear! Which I'm sure an engine running like that will undoubtedly have a lot of wear anyways.
And besides, who is to say that a piece of sludge wont break off and cause a mechanical problem while driving the vehicle anyways with the non-detergent oil?
I've been running conventional 10W30 here in Michigan throughout the year in my 251.
I'm sure I've opened a can of worms here now.
Happy motoring!