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I am considering using a full or synthetic blend oil in my '77 1500,
however I have heard that even the late 1970's engine seals can't tolerate
synthetics. Any experiences?
I love the stuff (synthetic). I have two cars (none MGs) that have run
exclusively
on the stuff since their first oil changes. Both don't leak or burn a drop.
One
even has 107K miles.
In light of all this, I decided to seal up my 1098 Midget motor this past
winter so
I could use synthetic oil (Expensive Oil to have dripping out on the floor).
After
I sealed the motor, new gaskets with blue silicone sealer, I found that
I still had
a slight leak out of the rear main and front timing cover. Not bad but
annoying. I
don't know if this means I did something wrong or if the oil is just to
slippery for
the design of the gasket surfaces. Maybe I will get it right the next time.
The oil also has a tendency to lower the oil pressure by about five pounds
when warm.
Still safe pressure though. Good luck. I say YES!
I too have had good luck with synthetics in my non-MG cars and with
a semi-synth in a light aircraft, all of which were "modern"
in the sense that their seals were compatible with these oils. Interestingly,
BMW now recommends waiting at least 10,000 miles BEFORE using any synthetic
oil, I assume this would also apply to a rebuild.
Do you feel that the leaks were related to the oil or just naturally occurring?
When you fitted new seals, were they new, aftermarket or original/NOS?
Since synthetics were available in Europe for a while before here, I would
hope that the seals on my '77 are capable of withstanding these oils.
Living in the Midwestern US, we have a broad range of climate. Our winters
see temps in the 20-40 F range, while in summer, we can get over 100 F
for several days at a time. I've found that using the standard 20W/50 makes
starting in sub-30 F weather a bit trying on the engine. It's hard to get
the eninge to turnover when the oil's that thick (I've even had to use
a heatlamp in the past to pre-warm the oil in the pan). Thus, for the winter
months, I've been using Castrol Syntec 5W/50. This makes starting significantly
easier, and I believe it allows the oil to shoot through the engine quicker
at startup. The pressure does drop a bit, however, and I still run the
traditional 20W/50 in the summer (if for nothing else than "manufacturer's
recommendation" and co$t).
My engine was recently rebuilt, and I have no leaks yet {yes - it's possible!!}-
either from traditional (used for the first 6,000 miles) nor synthetic.
The synthetic oil also seems to stay cleaner longer.
What I wonder is if synthetic oils give an older engine an advantage in
emission testing? Does syntheitc oil burn "cleaner" than traditional?
If so, maybe we can keep more of these beauties on the road to show the
Miata owners what a real sportcar is like!
P.S. One advantage of oil leaks: your car can "claim its territory"
by marking it's parking place in your garage!!
I use the castrol synthetic in my original non-resealed 77 and I haven't
(cross my fingers) had any leaks yet. In fact I didn't have any before the
change.
I noticed the slight drop in pressure while idling or the sudden nose dive
to about 15-20 when I shove the clutch in to stop but it stabilizes out immediately
and no problems.
I chose the synthetic because mine seems to run towards hot during the
summer when I really push her (then she cools right down to normal when
we slow back down to about 30rpm in 4th.
I figure it's just the poor cooling capacity in our hot weather. Anyway
I chose the synthetic because I thought the oil breakdown problem would
be eliminated with those occasional hot times that we got into.
I like the stuff. I'm sure you will too.
I only wish I could decrease the noise level in my interior when the top
is up.
Does anyone out ther have any experience with that stuff you can buy from
the Moss accessory catalogue that is supposed to quiet the noise???How
about a few suggestions.