hey i have another question regarding my 1966 mustang...my dad and i were in it a while ago and i was checking the readings on the dashboardand my oil pressure needle is wavering towards low. we just put more oil in the car not but a month ago (quaker 10-40w type) and the engine has been running fine. do you think there is a problem with the sensor in the engine, or am i not using good enough oil? i've heard that using 20-40w oil is good for older stangs, but the guy who had the car before us always used 10-40 with no troubles.

so, if any thoughts, please leave them! thanks!

 

Don't use 10-40 in an older car. Use 20-40 or 20-50 weight oil. The tolerances are a bit looser so thicker oil is better. Any body that says different is a ___-____ (fill in the blank).
Now, what engine, outside temperature was, and how long have you had the car?
Jim

 

Hey, thanks for the reply! The engine is a straight 6, we're not sure how much horsepower is in the engine but it's 205 cubic inches. The temp when it's sitting in our pathetic garage is anywhere from 85-95 degrees, and we have driven it in temps up to 101 degrees, as the weather where i live is terribly hot during july and august, in fact it's our hottest on record for summertime. we've had the car ever since the last week of this past may, and it has never had any engine troubles except we had to adjust the carburetor as it once stalled the engine on the road, but that hasn't happened since. we last filled the oil about 1 month ago. but yeah...she's been very good to us!

 

It may be old age, just worn out. On your next oil and filter change, put in some 20-50 weight oil and see if the problem is at least reduced. If so, consider a rebuild in two or three years, if not, get a mechanical guage temoroarly installed and see if your problem is more immediate.
Jim

 

I agree with Jim,, I would get a mechanical guage in there justto be sure that the pressure is ok.. My oil pressure was low, and when I put the mechanical guagein I learnedthat the pressure was more like0..Go with a guage so you know for sure..

 

yeah, i was considering a rebuild of the entire engine someday. the straight 6 in there now is the second engine the car has had, and someday i'm going to take everything out and put in a v8 and the best, most compatible parts i can find. i'll go ahead and investigate buying a mechanical gauge for the car in the meantime, and we're gonna put new 20-40 oil in there when we get back from vacation.

thanks again for your advice!

 

If you live in Maine and use 20/50 it would be fun to watch you start the engine on a -20F morning.

However if you live in a temperate area go for it

 

he is from Idaho,, but even with the cold, the engine will roll with 20/50,,,, IMO anyway....

Even if the oil pressure ends up being a little low, with care and heavy oil, a worn engine can last a long time,,,,

 

It's a smart idea to use the thicker oil, but just don't use something like "Motor Honey" because that stuff tends to plug up your plugs if you are burning oil.