New Engine Break In 1995 3.8L

[searcherrr]

Any suggestions? I have the 95 as a lot of you already know. I'm going to put the 5W 20 Synthetic in, but should I not do so since I'm starting up with a new engine? Should I start with regular oil or would starting with synthetic be better? Any other suggestions? I'm told that I should drive the van 1000 - 1500 miles before towing. That sound right too?

[12Ounce]

I prefer using conventional for the first (short) change. I once had a bad experience using synthetic in a rebuilt engine ... ended up having to rehoned cylinders, new rings, starting all over ...etc.

[wiswind]

I would follow the instructions that are provided with the new engine.

Otherwise, 5W-20 oil is what is now "recommended" by FORD as per TSB# 02-1-9
I just checked and verified that 1995 is listed in the included vehicles (most, but not all vehicles are included, but ALL windstars, 3.0L and 3.8L, are included).
I'm running it in my '96 3.8L at 190K miles, and it is doing just fine.

Years ago, they had you leave the "break -in" oil in for a given period of time/miles.
Then it was recommended that you use conventional oil for a given period of time/miles.
I do not know if that still applies, and the literature that they provide with the replacement engine should tell you.

Engine oil has REALLY changed in the past 20 years.....and it is much more complex...and improved.
That applies to BOTH conventional and synthetic.

[jer1303]

Any 5w-20 you use will be at least partially synthetic; so I wouldn't worry too much about what break-in oil you use. I wouldn't keep the van at one certain speed for a long time; and I would also wait a few miles before towing.

Then again, some people have great results beating the daylights out of brand-new engines.

[searcherrr]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll go with the regular oil on the 1st round just to be safe and after 600 miles change it with the FULL Synthetic.

Do ya'll think retightening/retorquing arms/valves would be a necessary procedure after driving a new engine around for about 600 - 1000 miles cause the new engine warranty states that if this isn't done it could possibly void the warranty. I asked my trusted shop about this and they say they've never heard of this before. Can the covers be removed and all those things accessed without the engine coming out again? That was my main concern about that warranty BS.

[garync1]

Do not use synthetic oil until at least 3,000 miles.. I do not use full synthetic until 15,000 on a new car. I start with a blend after about 5,000 of city driving and if you do a lot of hwy I would wait until at least 7,000. But I could see 3,000 with a blend on a rebuilt engine. It needs time on regular oil for proper oil seal seating.. Synthetic is real slick compared to regular oil and does not allow proper oil ring seating. Just put some miles on it and then run synthetic blend a while then switch to full.. Stick with the same brand though. Oh also the story of 5w 20 is based solely on EPA gas mileage required by feds for car companies. I run 5w 30 full synthetic in both vans. not 5w 20...