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Just wondering if there is a general consensus on what the best type of oil is to use in a 56 DeSoto. Synthetic, conventional, blend, high mileage, weight of oil, add zinc additive??? As far as I know the engine has never been rebuilt. Odometer reads about 95k. Car is stored from Nov-April. I have been using 10W-30 conventional oil and adding a zinc additive, but I'm thinking it might be beneficial to start using a high mileage oil and still add the zinc. Engine burns a minimal amount of oil, but nothing noticeable. It does not tend to overheat, unless idling for very long periods of time on a very hot day.
The zinc additive isn't really necessary. My engine rebuilder, who would have to make expensive warranty repairs if he was wrong, only requires a zinc additive in the first 2 oil changes on his rebuilds. After those oil changes, he allows any oil of choice and specifies no additives.
There's a big debate about that, but under those circumstances, my opinion is that the additives are not necessary on used engines, and only for the 1st couple of oil changes on a newly rebuilt, non-high performance engine.
You might consider popping the valve covers and seeing how gunked up things are with old oil. If you decide to use a high detergent oil, or a synthetic, you might run the risk of loosening the old gunk, and potentially plugging up passages.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
