Buz888

I have a Fairlane ZD 302 Windsor motor.
It has now done 150,000 miles (approx 240000kms), still the original motor(all numbers match).
I drive this car on a regular basis
I had been topping up the oil (about 500ml) every 2 to 3 weeks as it used to go down to about 1/2 of the Safe indicator on the dipstick.

It doesn't blow smoke in the mornings,when I'm driving or when I accelerate.
But I have noticed the tapets are quite noicy when the oil goes to that level.

Pardon my ignorance as I am a novice to mechanics but Is this normal for a windsor motor at that mileage to use a bit of oil

Someone suggested I use Penrite oil 25/70 thickness and now it only needs a top up every month or so but the tapets are still a little noicy and they get worse when the oil drops to that level

Is it normal for the tapets to be so noicy?

I dont believe it needs new rings, but then again I might be wrong.

Could it be the valve stem seals or is it losing oil from somewhere else.

Any help would be appreciated


buz888

gtcoupe95

if theres no oil leaks, theres only 2 ways to loose oil. rings or valve stem seals.. 150,000mile and your car is a 71 model.. valve stem seals at a minimum are just a seal and i dont think are designed to last that long if its original.. same goes for lifters.. the lifters either arent holding oil pressure, or your oil pump is not pumping enough oil press.. and could be oil thats thinned out.. when was the last service?. first things first get out your compression tester.. as a rough guide on a dry compression 120psi at bare min and i would expect at that to burn some oil.. good compression about 150-160psi. anything about 100psi and its time for a rebuild. if you then want to check for valve seating 3 squirts of engine oil in the plug hole will seal the piston and check for compression leakage in the head and gasket. make sure accel at WOT when cranking and about 5 cranks i think is the correct ammount. all spark plugs out for cranking speed.

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95 Mustang GT 302: VQ-S2 Vortech - Edelbrock Intake - BBK 70mm TB - UPR Boostpipe - TwEECer - Walbro 255 & T-Rex fuel pump - MSD btm - Crane HI-6 - 36# injectors - Pro-m 80mm MAF - Kirban FPR - FMS 9mm leads - FMS 3.73 Gears - Transgo Shift kit - B&M cooler - Saleen guage pod, FMS Boost and FP guages - R/H drive - Eibach Springs - Holley headers, http://www.meales.com.au

Buz888

Thnaks gtcoupe95,

Will try what you have suggested and let you know of the outcome.
I appreciate your feedback.

Regards
Buz888