rusty70f100
New member
I've decided to get a bit adventurous recently. I had Redline 0w30 in the 2.9L in my Bronco 2, but still had a bit of lifter tick on those below zero mornings. Still, it was much less than it was on cold mornings with 10w30. So apparently, for cold lifter tick, thinner is better.
I followed that thinking, and put in Redline 0w20 yesterday. I won't know about the cold lifter tick for a little while, since it's relatively warm for the next couple days (up around freezing for high temps.) It does, however, crank faster when cold, and it runs nice and quietly with it.
At the end of a 3000 mile oil change interval I'll send in for a used oil analysis to make sure the 0w20 isn't causing any undue wear on the motor.
(disclaimer)
I would not advise anyone with engines with lifter tick on a regular basis (other than startup for a couple seconds) to go with a thinnner oil. I think there's something else going on with those motors. I am starting out with a very quiet 2.9 in good condition and only doing this as an experiment.
(disclaimer 2)
While I used Redline, I am in no way tied to that brand. I'm sure any synthetic with an appropriate amount of ZDDP in it's additive package would work just as well, including ones advertised in the banner ads here.
I followed that thinking, and put in Redline 0w20 yesterday. I won't know about the cold lifter tick for a little while, since it's relatively warm for the next couple days (up around freezing for high temps.) It does, however, crank faster when cold, and it runs nice and quietly with it.
At the end of a 3000 mile oil change interval I'll send in for a used oil analysis to make sure the 0w20 isn't causing any undue wear on the motor.
(disclaimer)
I would not advise anyone with engines with lifter tick on a regular basis (other than startup for a couple seconds) to go with a thinnner oil. I think there's something else going on with those motors. I am starting out with a very quiet 2.9 in good condition and only doing this as an experiment.
(disclaimer 2)
While I used Redline, I am in no way tied to that brand. I'm sure any synthetic with an appropriate amount of ZDDP in it's additive package would work just as well, including ones advertised in the banner ads here.