Looks like I may finally have some time to tinker on my '56 Fairlane. I probably need a tune up. I know I need to change the oil and trans fluid. Two questions: 1) which tune up parts should I ask for at autozone or o'reilly's 2) what weight oil and trans fluid should I get? Engine is a 292 with an automatic. This car will most likely become my daily in the near future.
For an oil I would use Ford Motorcraft diesel 15W40(5 quart jug at Autozone or Walmart about $16) it has more ZDDP(1335ppm) than the new formula Rotella(1130ppm) which is important for older engines with flat tappets, for the transmission use Dextron II,Fords like Ford parts so use Motorcraft spark plugs or Autolite.For points,condenser and cap and wires and I would go to a NAPA store and get the Echlin brand of parts and avoid the import stuff from O'Reilly's and Autozone it will save you money in the long run. If your 292 has the spin on filter Autozone and Wal-Mart both have the Motorcraft FL-1.
Shell Rotella has zinc and can get it a Auto Zone , Advanced Auto , Wal mart , PLEASE bu a good oil filter and not a cheap *** Fram or the other **** they sell at types of stores . Go to a real auto parts store and buy a WIX or K&N filter that will filter very well . Tune up parts , plug , points , rotor , condenser, Dist .Cap , plug wires if needed , fuel filter , air filter , trans filter & gasket , trans-can buy at WalMart or Advanced Auto fluid Type F . That should be pretty much everything you will need to get the car running good . You might want to get a can of carb cleaner as well . Of course put some Stabil in the tank . Also check you battery & battery cable ends and if the are bad , replace them now ! Also check your fan belt as well . Make sure you test your anti freeze and make sure it's good . Take a look at your brake fluid to make sure is good . Test all your tires and inspect for bad cracks from sitting and fill up with air along with your spare too ! That is pretty much it . One other thing to check is make sure all your lights are working good as well and wipers if you use them . These are all the things I check after a car has been sitting for a good while . Once everything is done , then go out and drive around for a few hours and enjoy what life has given you ! Jim
I'm a Ford guy so I use OEM stuff when possible and practical. Motorcraft plugs are BSF82Cs, about $3 each at most autoparts stores. Motorcraft oil filter - if spin-on is FL1A, if cartridge type it's an FL20. Yes on the Motorcraft 15W40 and it was recommended here awhile back and to me that Lucas Break-In oil additive is also good to use. If memory serves, in line fuel filter is Motorcraft # FG2, which cross references to other brands and is a very common filter. If you still have a draft tube on your Yblock I think there's also a filter in it. It can often be cleaned out and reused if not too sludged up. Lots of good oil filters out there, but also many bad ones. Some of the brands I've heard good about are Wix, Napa Gold, K&N, and Baldwin. Many others are best left alone. I noticed the good filters usually aren't that much more than the ****py ones.
Thanks for the replies. I can't wait for school and work to slow down so I can spend a little time in the shop.
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