Oil questions for a new guy

[PxDnNinja 10]

So I recently picked up my 69 Mustang and am learning all about maintaining and eventually fixing/restoring parts of it. It has a 351Windsor motor, but I do not know the last time it had any oil changes or the like.

 

I figure a good thing to do to get my hands dirty with working on it is an oil change this weekend, especially since next weekend I'm driving it to a car show about 60 miles away.

 

I've always taken my cars to oil change specialist shops for this, but it's time to learn for myself.

 

 

 

With these older cars I have seen that certain oils are needed or not needed, and certain items like zinc need to be around. What I haven't found is any information source that is pretty authoritative on it.

 

Thus I turn to you wonderful people :)

 

Is there anything I should know major, or any good source of info I can dig into?

 

You guys rock.

[MaxLT 10]

Congratulations on your new purchase. I've had mine going on 20 years now and they really are great cars.

 

You can run any good quality motor oil conventional or synthetic (between 5w-30 up to 10w-40 although most use 10w-30). With the flat tappet camshafts I'd recommend a zinc additive as well to keep from wiping out a lobe. One of the easiest solutions is Lucas Engine Break-in Oil Additive ($14-$15 at most auto parts stores). You only need to use about 1/4 of the container for each oil change 4oz and not the entire 16oz jug. The label says not for passenger car use but that's a warning for late model vehicles so it won't damage the catalytic converter.

[narr8or 10]

I am about to embark on my first oil change and I was given ZDDP to add in there. It has to do with modern fuel being hard on the cams so the zinc additives are important.

[70Mach03 12]

I use Shell Rotella T Multigrade Oil SAE 15w40 because of the zinc content. Unless you have updated to roller rockers, the lack of zinc can flatten your cam. Modern oils have taken out the zinc as it is not good for the catalytic converters in the new cars. Lots of older classic car owners use the Rotella.