Synth Oil on Worn engine

["Al Powell" <apowell@agcom.tamu.edu>]

The estimable Sarge has a good discussion going about running 
synthetic oils in a worn engine.

My vote is simple, and is based on this question:  which would I 
rather do with engines which show some wear: 

a)  Run adequate oil?
b)  Run superior oil? 

The answer with no hesitation is B.  Synthetic gives me better 
protection oil jelling in case of against accidental overheating, a
better oil film at startup, slightly reduced friction, and in the 
case of my 1985 chebby pickup, oil consumption reduced about 25% when 
I switched it to Amsoil.

The only caveat is that there is an economic cutoff.  The only 
vehicle I have owned since 1977 in which I did NOT run synthetic was 
my 1986 280Z, which was using a quart every 400 miles.  (Never fouled 
a plug, either!)  In that vehicle, the bill was too high to run 
synthetic.   (But it ran for five years after I sold it, with no 
engine rebuild. Tough engine!)

I have used, and will continue to use, synthetic in vehicles burning 
as much as a quart of oil every 1000 miles.  

My reasoning:

1)  Better oil is better oil; 
2)  Oil is cheaper than engine rebuilds;
3)  Anything that easy to do which might extend my engine life is 
cool with me.

Or perhaps I'm missing something?
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Al Powell, PhD             Ph:  409/845-2807
Ag Communications          Fax: 409/862-1202
Texas A&M University
http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm
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