I have recently done what a mechanic friend calls a motor "freshening". Valve job, new rings and pistons, and take up rod bearing slack (all done with motor in car).
I have a dipstick and check oil level every time I take Liz out. I am surprised to find the oil crystal clear - same as in my modern car.
This surprises me. I was expecting (because of the age of the car and the technology of the era) to find the oil considerably blackened after 4 or 500 miles.
This is my first (and only) T so I have nothing to compare to. Is this normal ?
I change mine every 500 miles or less and its black as night.
You talk about the dipstick but without knowing where its pulled from its hard to say if its representative of all of the oil.
What does it look like when you drain it?
Did you use a non detergent oil, if so that's why it looks so nice?
Bud,
Using regular oil, mine is black in the first 200 - 300 miles. Synthetic stays fairly clear up to 1000 or more. NOT starting an oil war, just stating results.
Non detergent looks a bit dark (green) right out of the container let alone a few hundred miles.
Willis
I guess I should have said: it has 5w-30 detergent oil, but not synthetic.
Dan: haven't drained it yet - I'll post back when I do.