valves/rocker arms

[Podunkfla]

:lol: I really did button her up after Keven and Nightimes suggested it. It needed sealer on some corners so that is drying. I try to never tempt Murphy and I have no intention of junking my motor up with scrapings from a metal brush.

That is the same engine I have in my '95 Nissan PU... with 218,000 miles it still runs perfect and does not use oil! They are great engines. I do use full synthetic oil; It is just a better lubricant than any dino based oil... lots of research on that. It really isn't any more expensive than the dino stuff because you can safely go 8 to 10 thousand miles between oil changes. I use the same stuff a lot of the big truckers do: Shell Rotella-T Synthetic... It is about $14.95 a gallon at Walmart. Another good thing... when I changed my VC gasket lat year... No varnish. You can buy more expensive synthetics like Amzoil, Castrol & Mobil1... but you are not getting a significantly better oil for a lot more money.

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Motor Oil:
http://www.micapeak.com/info/oiled.html

The truth about oil filters: (basicly... stay away from Fram)
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

Miriam... I know this kinds info overload... But it's worth knowing about.

[SkipperSue]

I'm with you on that Brick, use 100% synthetic oil and it will last a LONG time!

[Q]

You don't need to use synthetic oil to make an engine last a long time. My Toyota pickup has 217,000 miles and doesn't burn a drop between changes. I use regular mineral oil.

It would have been a good idea to check the valve lash while you were in there. Chances are it's OK but I like to know. Dealing with shims is a pain in the ass.

Q

[Podunkfla]

You don't need to use synthetic oil to make an engine last a long time. My Toyota pickup has 217,000 miles and doesn't burn a drop between changes. I use regular mineral oil.

It would have been a good idea to check the valve lash while you were in there. Chances are it's OK but I like to know. Dealing with shims is a pain in the ass.
Q

Still... most of the stories I have heard about cars that lasted 1/2 million miles or more used synthetic oil... I'll stick with what I know works. I have made it to 350,000+ with a chevy S-10 of all things! I sold it still running fine... Just got tired of lookin at it.

http://www.hondabeat.com/highmiles.php?intStart=25

[dhazard]

Last year I donated a 95 Chevy Berretta with 360,000 on it. It was ran on Havoline 5W30 and Fram filters all of it’s life. Changed the oil every 3000 – 5000 miles. Never opened up the engine, just wanted something different to put my butt into.

[asianflava]

I think the key is to stay on top of things. Regardless of what you use, if you keep up on your PMs (preventative Maintenance) you should be ok. I have a 90Civic with 285K an 89Civic with 180K and my Mazda truck has 207K. Unfortunately, the 90 has electrical problems which sometimes can't be avoided.

My maintenance is scheduled like this, "Hmm, I can't remember. When was the last time I replaced X." I guess I'll do it this weekend."

Yes I don't replace things on schedule but the key is that they get replaced.