Thanks to everyone for this tread. I changed the oil. The foil worked great. Everything stayed clean under. The filter wasnt too tight. Best of all did it withiut bringing it to have changed.

 

Since I originally started this thread and am now coming up to my first 1,000 mile oil change, what ramps are you using and who carries them? Since I remember from my '79 mustang, getting up the ramps with a manual tranny can be a bit tricky. Does your ramp recommendation also include a tire stop to keep you from driving over/off the ramp?

Thanks.

 

Ramps? I didn't use ramps.
I just squeezed under the car and did it.
I am not really skinny either. Its that easy.

 

Is the first oil change officially at 1,000 miles or is this just good old school practice to "clean out the metal shavings" on a new engine?

 

Some folks are going even earlier because of the metal shavings issue on these engines...

 

I'am going 500, then 1k, then 3k after that, the metal shaving thing. All it takes is one small piece to get lodged somewhere it doesn't belong. Currently have a Monte with 180k. Oil is the life blood

 

Totally agree about changing the oil as often as possible...cheap insurance. I just changed the oil yesterday with 622 miles on the ODO...next one will be at 3,000, then 6,000, etc. Never go beyond 6 months in changing the oil (unless you're using fully synthetic oil)...

 

I have an old set of metal ramps handed down that just barely clear under the front and if I turn my wheel at all it will scratch. The old ones have the tire stop. I also used a couple of standard envelopes doubled up and blue taped them to the under front where the ramps may scratch. There was a small rub on the paper but no scratch this time. I used the e brake and got out and looked . went an inch or so more and stopped. Then put a block behind the rear wheel with e brake on.

 

I personally did the 500 , 1500 and am waiting for the 3000. That way it doubles every time till 3000.

YMMV.

=0)

 

Okay, I changed my own today at 800 miles. No ramps...I just used the wooden boards I used to drive up on with the Vette in order to get the jack under it. It gives me an extra 4 inches of room. The foil trick for the filter worked great. Weird factory filter, no motocraft markings, etc. Pretty much a plain white filter.

Now for the cool trick (thanks to Bob99b5's Ford Mechanic). You know how when you have an new empty oil filter, it takes a few seconds of the engine running to build up pressure?? The trick is after the oil change, you floor the accelerator pedal before you turn the key to crank the engine. Flooring the pedal kills the fuel injectors, so the car will turn over, but won't start. The cranking will help fill the filter with oil and prime the system. After about 5-10 seconds of cranking, I turned the key to off and released the pedal. Turned the key again and she fired right up with instant oil pressure reading on the gauge. Anyone think that every Ford Mechanic follows this process??.....probably not. That's why I'm glad I changed it myself. Thanks again Bob for the great tip!!!

Change #2 will be at 1,500, then 3,000 then every 3,000 after that.

Thanks again to everyone.

 

Steevr - So are you using Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-20? If so, where did you find it for a decent price? Also, what filter are you using? Motorcraft?

Are there any benefits in using the Ford Racing oil filter?

 

Just changed my oil at the Ford Dealership. I was suprised they added REDLINE Full Synthetic oil instead of the Motorcraft full synthic oil. Price was a little high but I want the best for my car.

 

Yes. Walmart had it for around $2.20 a quart * 6 quarts. They also carried the Motorcraft 820S Oil Filter for about $3.29. Don't know what the Racing filter buys you other than maybe a 1/2 quart more capacity. I also don't know if it flows better.

Cost for Parts - less than $20.
Cost of a mechanic not scratching the car or the 16 year old porter smoking the tires from the shop door all the way to the front door - Priceless.

 

I did a 1K, followed by regular 3K oil changes on my '92 GT and it was still running strong when I sold it at 186K - never had any engine problems at all. Same story on my '02 but I sold that one short at just 67K.

 

We're talking one extra oil change in there, at a cost of squat. Found a thread a while back talking about a magnetic oil plug, if any one knows of one that will fit an 07, let me know, will continue looking. Another cheep ounce of prevention.

 

Is there any gasket or seal that needs to be replaced on the drain plug or does everyone just reuse what comes out?

 

No washer or gasket on the oil drain plug. The end of the plug is flattened like a built-in washer.

Only thing I wasn't ready for when I pulled the plug is there is a reinforcement bar going east-west behind the oil pan (might just be there on the convertibles). The oil hit the bar for a bit. I just wiped it down afterward.

 

does the same on mine just have to wipe it down after.

 

on changing the oil.like pictures

 

I just did my 500 mile oil change today.

The thing that shocked me was that the car was not full at 6 quarts. With 6 qts it was midway between add and fill. Looks like it needs 6 1/2...I put in mobil 1. Probably overkill, but better safe than sorry in my book. I used the mobil 1 oil filter as well.