General mantinence Qs

El_Poochino · 31-01-2007, 01:29 PM

Time for another bout of simple questions to help the mechanically illeterate :P

I have the old lifter tick. I'm gonna try the nulon lifer/engine cleaner stuff and dump the oil. What grade of oil should I use for the EF with 320xxxkms which was rebuilt 80xxxkms ago? Also, any brands?

Also, the bonnet and rear wing look like ****. Dull and faded. The previous owner hit it up with polish every 3-4 weeks. I'm thinking cut and polish followed up with some nufinish. Any other ideas?

Cheers.

Allen · 31-01-2007, 01:36 PM

I've found that engines with a few k's on them love the BP Course Plus... It really quietens them down, and they tend to run smoother too...

I cant remmeber what the grade is, but its nice and heavy for a worn engine... even my missus's ED with 67,000k's on the clock got better with the course plus.

As for the paint, have a look in my build thread, at the before and after pics from when i detailed it with scratchx, polish and cab wax... made a big difference... Red is ***** when it comes to fading... :P

**Polyal** · 31-01-2007, 01:49 PM

Yeah why is it that red fades so easily?

Allen · 31-01-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah why is it that red fades so easily?

I am under the impression that has something to do with the fact red light has the longest wavelength of all the colours in the visible light spectrum... I cant remember exactly why the red fades so much though...

EFFalcon · 31-01-2007, 01:59 PM

is Corse Plus 25w-60?

Allen · 31-01-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

is Corse Plus 25w-60?

After a quick search, yes it is

Veefore · 31-01-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah why is it that red fades so easily?

I saw an article on paints once that said that the pigment used to make red paint is the softest and least stable of all pigments
This is why red and "red-based" colours need to have a clear coat over them if they aren't to have a very short life span.

White paint on the other hand is the toughest and most stable and in most uses doesn't even need a clear coat over it to provide protection as it is tougher than the clear coat itself.

castek · 31-01-2007, 04:16 PM

red is also the most expensive colour to spray your car lol. i found that out with my old car. white FTW

NC_GHIA · 31-01-2007, 04:18 PM

I think the reason it's the most expensive is because it's the one colour that fades the most...

MacGyver · 31-01-2007, 04:33 PM

After using a product to clean out your lifters (nulon, ATF, diesel, etc) you really need to use the correct grade of oil. On my EF with 225,000k's with no rebuild yet I use the specified 15/40 grade. Right now I am using Valvoline engine armour (even though I HATE valvoline oils) and it is working a treat. No lifter noise ever. Not even a tick. I use less than 1 litre of oil per 10,000k's. If your engine was rebuilt 80,000k's ago you should not even consider a higher grade of oil. 15/40 all the way.

If you are concerned, check your compression first, before deciding on an engine oil. My EF as above reads 185psi on all cylinders. That is a very good reading for a higher klm engine. Yours should read at least this. If you were down to say 160psi then I would go up one grade of oil, say 20/50. If you were on the minimum of 140psi (Ford's recommended rebuild time) I would use 25/60 to prolong the inevitable rebuild.

Contrary to what many will tell you using the higher grade of oil is BAD. It will cause more wear, increase fuel consumption and give you some noisy lifters.

cheers
Scott

[Tonko] · 31-01-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah why is it that red fades so easily?

Because red goes faster...

NC_GHIA · 31-01-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonkoXR8

Because red goes faster...

Bahahaha

:

doofdoof23 · 31-01-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah why is it that red fades so easily?

My old VH SS had a marinello red original paintjob that still had a brilliant shine after 20 years, and it was never under shade.

Man i miss that car and that colour..... my falcon will be going Marinello Red one day.......

Anyone know if the VH wouldve had acrilyc or enamel????

Dezza · 31-01-2007, 04:55 PM

Red wasn't metallic paint, was it? The metallics seem to hold up a lot better and don't fade as much

webby_191189 · 31-01-2007, 04:56 PM

Castrol maganatec oil is great for older model engines. im running it in my ef and its dun 320000kms and you can get 15 to 20 thousand k's out of it depending on your driving

Allen · 31-01-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ea_silver_ghia

Red wasn't metallic paint, was it? The metallics seem to hold up a lot better and don't fade as much

Thats because a metallic paint will usually have a clear coat over it, where a straight colour doesn't really need a clear coat.

Mine is metallic cardinal red with a clear, but the le mans red AFAIK doesn't have metallic or a clear coat...

Dezza · 31-01-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairlane_ghia

Thats because a metallic paint will usually have a clear coat over it, where a straight colour doesn't really need a clear coat.

Mine is metallic cardinal red with a clear, but the le mans red AFAIK doesn't have metallic or a clear coat...

Cool, thanks for clearing that up Allan. That would be why my platinum silver still looks go good.

XR6TickfordBoy · 31-01-2007, 05:09 PM

Even the red strips on my Heritage Green XR are fading whilst the green duco is still mint, another vote for red fades too quickly!

El_Poochino · 31-01-2007, 05:10 PM

Well MacGyver, the noise started after I grabbed a Ford super service after purchase. Makes me belive I've been given the wrong grade of oil. Anyway I'll be getting on to it within a week or so.

Also, just wondering people's opinions on BP ultimate and other 98RON fuels. I've ran about 6-8 tanks through the car so far and I think it is working quite well.

Cheers

JUZXR8 · 31-01-2007, 05:55 PM

Ive just used turtle wax colour care on my XR8 with 2 coats of Mequires Cleaners Wax over the top and its come up looking a million bucks! i definatly recommend the Turtle Wax, it does a fantastic job!

As with the fuels, ive also been running BP ultimate and i cant fault it, gets better with every tank.

i did try that new V-power 100 RON a few times, and if it wasnt sooooo bloody dear i still would be! lol

Christiaan · 31-01-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6TickfordBoy

Even the red strips on my Heritage Green XR are fading whilst the green duco is still mint, another vote for red fades too quickly!

Re-paint them, and put 5 coats of clear over them, and they won't fade