1959 Oil Viscosity & Winterizing | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models

  • We're glad you found us via a search engine! Right now, you can join our club absolutely free and unlock member only features like the site search! This notice only appears once! It only takes 30 seconds to register, and we would love to have you as part of the World's largest Thunderbird Forum/Club! Click here to continue

1959 Oil Viscosity & Winterizing

  • Thread starter Thread starter PaulB
  • Start date Start date
PaulB

PaulB

Gold Member
Reaction score
4
Thunderbird Year
1959
According to the factory specs the recommended oil viscosity for a 1959 with a 352 engine is SAE 20W above 32 degrees. (SAE 10W from -10 to +32). Where i live our winters are relatively mild rarely getting below freezing, so 20W would probably work, and it's garaged through the winter anyway. But I ask because I'm curious what others do. I know there are a lot of opinions on oils. I was leaning towards a 10W-30W. Also do you use a synthetic oil or regular oil? When winterizing your car to you flush out the oil in spring and start with fresh oil then or do you add fresh oil now? Thank you.

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 
For my ‘57, I first used Shell Rotella 15w-40. I then discovered that Marvel Mystery had started making a Vintage Motor Oil with ZDDP, so I used that for my last oil change (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07DBXNMMX/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8). In looking for a link for this post, however, I found that that oil is no longer listed on the Marvel Mystery webpage for some reason. So it may be back to the Rotella for my next oil change next year…. Disappointing; I was pleased with the Marvel Mystery Vintage Oil.

Based on my research and advice from others, I change my oil in the fall right before the winter slumber. The theory being that it’s better to not have oil with contaminants sitting in the engine all winter.
 

Attachments

  • 2AFD9D4E-5ECD-4E25-86B1-D96FA950D14D.jpeg
    2AFD9D4E-5ECD-4E25-86B1-D96FA950D14D.jpeg
    1.9 MB · Views: 2
Last edited:
Hi Paul, if you want to make yourself crazy…here are two links that will help…

As you say, loads of opinions but I believe the information is mostly valid


540ratblog.wordpress.com

540 RAT - Tech Facts, NOT Myths

540ratblog.wordpress.com 540ratblog.wordpress.com


forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com

1956 312 best Oil type

I myself just add a bottle of Marvel Mystery oil with each oil change. Along with Lucas hot rod oil. Which contains a lot of zinc.I've heard many testimonials about marvel mystery oil. Don't know what it's made of But spraying it into the spark plug holes of engines that haven't run in years...
forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com

Enjoy…!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top