The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 250 oil consumation problem

Took a 500 mile road trip last weekend. Used six quarts of oil. About half the trip interstate speeds. Only visible tailpipe smoke was when I got off the gas when passing someone, but even then not much. No leaks from engine, just a drop here and there. No spots of oil on my rear bumper. No fouled plugs, they all look a nice brown color. I know the engine is tired and plan on tearing it down this winter. I would like to get to a couple of other shows before the tear down but have a fear whatever is wrong will really let go on another long drive. Any ideas?

What weight oil are you using? I've seen multi-weight oil (10W-30, etc.) in older engines go through them like gas through a strainer. A switch back to straight-weight 30 or 40 reduced the consumption noticeably.
Jerry

Jerry, would you recomment straight 30 or 40 weight synthetic oil in a highly used 54/235 engine, I guess the synthetic comes in straight weight,,don't know anything about them except the cost? thanks,,Fred

Joker, when I bought my truck out of a field in Mississippi some years ago, I asked this 80 yr old guy what I should use for oil, and he looked at me and said Straight 30..Can't argue with a guy with some miles on him..Later my friend, Steve

Started with 10w-40...2 quarts, then a product called "Lucas" for tired motors...1 quart, then straight 40...3 quarts.

Hmmmm- - - - -If it's still using oil with straight 40, there's not much to do except bite the bullet and do a ring job. If the cylinders are worn tapered more than 5 thousandths or so, it's better to rebore for oversize pistons. Rings just don't seal well when they're constantly having to change size.

Joker, I have very little experience with synthetic oil. If your engine is using, or leaking much at all, it's going to get expensive to keep it filled up. Straight-weight HD-30 is hard to beat. Some people reccomend non-detergent oil, but most of the ND oil I've seen lately doesn't have an API ratng suitable for any engine, not even a lawn mower. Running a straight-weight detergent oil, and changing it regularly is the best choice, IMHO, even if the engine doesn't have a filter.
Jerry

To get rid of that much oil and not foul plugs, there MUST be a leak somewhere. I once had a '63 chevy with a 230 which used lots of oil. It turned out to be the rear main seal. It wasn't obvious - there wasn't oil on the bottom side of the car, and it didn't leave a puddle when parked. It just dripped on the road while I was driving. BTW, the seal leaked because the main bearings were loose. Also, check the oil pressure sending unit. They can get rid of a lot of oil when they leak.