Changing to a different motor oil. Any Opinions?

That is a good value alright, but it is not a synthetic product like what you stated you were looking to use in your OP.

 

The number of miles on oil and miles on the engine are on the report. I wanted to get a two oil change baseline to see how the oil was doing after switching to it. Now that I have that, I will start extending drains a little at a time to get to a comfortable oil change interval.

 

I'm going to grab about 20 buckets of the Napa oil before month's end. Internet consensus says it's valvoline premium blue in a napa bucket. Both oils made by Ashland chemical. I don't have a bypass or extend the intervals so any good dino will do.

 

Most any good dino will do even if one had a bypass filter. Nothing wrong with conventional oils, especially if one is not trying to extend drains. I use a blend because I don't need a full synthetic. The brand I get, the additive package is the same for their blend as the full synthetic. And the add pack is as important as the oil itself, since the add pack makes up about 40% of the volume of oil you pour out of a jug. The add pack is where all the goodies are, like the additives that control oxidation of the oil, and additives that prevent sludge accumulation, or provide certain elements like Zinc, Moly, Titanium, etc to decrease wear. The oil, be it synthetic or conventional, can't do the job by itself. It has to have a good additive package. And truth be told, this is what can really set oil brands apart. Some get bogged down in the the details about whether the oil is a dino, faux synthetic, or a "true" synthetic. I really could care less. It is the additive package in the motor oil I buy that makes me prefer one over the other. It is why I use Schaeffer. They have real stout additive packages in their oils.

When it comes down to it, the oil itself is really only doing two things... providing a film between moving parts, and dissipating heat. The additive package is really what is doing the behind the scenes stuff that makes or breaks how good an oil is.

 

I switched to Amsoil some years ago in my pickup. I noticed an immediate cushioning sound from the oil. Engine got quieter. I would run it in my Semi with
the OPS, but, I still feel oil needs to be changed. Cost are kinda high for me, but, If I were to take on the task, I would buy the oil by the 55 gallon drum. Cheaper that way..

 

Amsoil is a good product, but not cost effective enough for my wants. I can get a 55 drum of full synthetic, delivered free to my door, for about $400 to $500 cheaper per drum than most of the Amsoil line. And they don't ship free. And Schaeffer also includes free oil sample kits with their oil. Now we're talkin.

I did give Amsoil a try a few years ago. I kept getting spikes in lead and copper on my oil samples that quit when I switched away from Amsoil. Probably just that engine. I still use some Amsoil products in some smaller applications, but probably will never give Amsoil another try in my heavy stuff.

 

I wish I had somewhere to store a drum. Buying a drum of amsoil no thanks. Likely it's a proprietary drum less than 55 gallons that requires a special proprietary pump from amsoil. Gotta love how they do that.

 

We have been using chevron delo 400 15w40 for quite a long time. I think its great oil.

 

Personally I normally add some ATF to flush the engine oil, I try real hard to leave it overnight to drip after filter is loosened,and punched, and plug out.
I worked at a shop and use to get the gube man to put all the pails of oil in my pick-up. I used that oil 15/40 in all my equipment. a mixture of every brand, never had a problem.
Personally I do not believe a blend is any kind of a buy, what percentage is it, they could add a quart to a 100 gallons and still call it a blend.
I retired but still recomend Shell if going dyno, and I just bought Delo full synthetic, $20.00 a gallon, for my pick-up, and loader.
I am not a believer in fancy oils, and extended oil changes. from experience, the longer the oil change interval the shorter the engine life. I do believe that a spinner is a great addition.
I was taught and no one has ever proved it wrong that an oil change is the cheapest overhaul you will not need.
Just a thought!