What kind of oil is best for you and the car depends on the condition of the car, which engine it has, what modifications it has, and how you drive it.
With the 2.3L engine, you do NOT want to go heavier than 10w30 for the weight of the oil. The oil pumps in these cars are extremely good at building pressure, and using a heavy weight oil will cause so much stress on the distributor drive gear that it will snap the roll pin that holds it to the distributor. If your 2.3L engine is worn enough to need a heavier oil than 10w30, then it's completely worn out; time for a rebuild if you're at that point. As far as what brand and type of oil to put in it, I'd strongly recommend either Valvoline MaxLife or Castrol High Mileage in an older 2.3L. They both actually do a pretty good job of living up to their advertising.
For the transmission, it's simple. Older Ford automatics NEED "Type F" fluid (Most Ford Automatic Transmissions into the mid-80s). The brand isn't important, what is is the chemistry of the fluid. If you use any other specification fluid (Dexron, Dexron II, Dexron III, Dexron IV, Mercon, Mercon V, ATF+2, ATF+3, ATF+4, etc....) you run the rist of slippage and other malnfunctions in the transmission. "Type A" fluid will work in a pinch, and "Type FA" will work with no problems. Manual transmissions use good old 80w90 gear lube.
The rear end on these cars uses 80w90 from the factory. If you live in a really hot climate or have a little noise from wear you can always step it up a little in weight or go with a synthetic or performance gear lube like the rear end lube from Lucas. If your car has Trac-Loc, you'll need to get a bottle of the limited-slip additive from your Ford dealership. (If they don't have it, check with your local Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealership, they carry a similar product that works fine with Ford limited slip rear ends).
__________________ 1976 Ford Mustang II Ghia: 302 with a 600cfm Edelbrock carb, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, Dynomax Blackjack headers, 2.5" exhaust with Flowmaster Super 44s. RJS 11-gallon fuel cell, C4 tranny, chrome 16" pony wheels, fuzzy dice, brown vinyl half-top, and painted in the tackiest color ever (harvest gold, that's why I call it "The Goldenrod").
Also have a 2003 Dodge Ram (lightly modded daily driver/tow rig/office/dining room/home away from home/workshop... I call it "The Big Blue Dawg".)
Last edited by 74stang2togo; 09-29-2008 at 12:16 AM.
| 
Mustang II Oil ??? 
