When I purchased my '56 back in the early 1970's the previous owner notified me
that the car had always been run with non-detergent oil, and that I would have
to do the same to prevent engine damage. At the time I knew much less about
cars than I know now (basically nothing), but didn't like the sound of what he
had said.
I did some research and found out that the best thing to do at that time was to
drop the pan, clean out the sludge, and clean the oil screen. There was a large
amount of goop in the bottom of the pan. After that, I was then told that I
should purchase a quality engine flush product and follow the instructions on
the can.
I did these things and was able to run the car for over 100,000 miles with no
engine work. The last twenty years the car has basically been sitting with only
very occassional short trips around town, if that. Although the car really does
need an engine overhaul, it still runs very well, and I can drive it (once I
rebuilt the brakes) anytime I wish. That says a lot for a 47 year old high
miles car that hasn't ever been apart. A few years back I removed a valve cover
and found that things still looked pretty good.
Based on this, I would say that the advice that I was given turned out to be
correct. I would expect that if I hadn't cleaned everything out, the detergent
could have dragged all of that stuff through the engine and plugged up the oil
passages, although I have been told that this can't happen. Either way, I have
always been glad that I did what I did.
Paul
In a message dated 11/10/2003 10:48:41 AM Eastern Standard Time, "Dave Ford"
<daveford1@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>I just acquired my first 58 Imperial (with the claim of 44k orig. miles). I
>had to clean some plugs to get it running and couldn't help notice the oily
>sludge sitting in the sparkplug recess'. Is there a recommended practice
>for cleaning or flushing and old engine that may not ever seen detergent
>oil?
>Also, I was told when I bought it that it was a Crown but looking at
>several pictures and brochures, I'm not sure. Is there a definitive way to
>tell?
>
>
>>From: "Hugh & Therese" <hugtrees@xxxxxxxx>
>>Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>Subject: IML: WELCOME Dave Ford (1958)
>>Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2003 22:00:38 -0600
>>
>>Subject: IML: Please WELCOME Dave Ford (1958)
>>
>>
>> > Car(s) owned: 1958 Crown Sedan
>> >
>> > Self-Introduction: Self employed automobile noise and vibe
>>engineer/analyst
>> > Also have 1965 AC Cobra Replica, 1966 Elcamino (454), 86 Fiero GT
>>
>>Welcome indeed, Dave.
>>
>>There are a respectable amount of 1958 owners on the list although not all
>>of us are very respectable. Please tell us about your car. What body
>>style
>>is it? What color? How long have you had it? That kind of thing.
>>
>>Please consider sharing some pictures of it on the 1958 page of the web
>>site. We can never have too may pictures of our cars on the site.
>>
>>Our debates get a little wound up at times - angels on the head of a pin
>>discussions - but most everyone is well meaning and willing to help a
>>fellow
>>Imperialist whenever possible. With your background and experience I hope
>>that you will be among those willing to help those more mechanically
>>challenged than most, like me.
>>
>>Hugh
>>58 4 door Southampton
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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