Petrol V6 went from 5W40 to 10W60, why?

boomerang

Member
Messages
412
In the later production years the F160 V6 engine got 10W60 oil advice.
Maserati states, 5w40 spec engines (earlier production) should NOT USE 10W60!
What was mechanically altered in the later engines, what made it possible (necessary?) to use 10W60 oil grade?

I checked and compared partnumbers from cranc shafts, bearing shells and oil pumps from early/late engines; all seem the same.
Who knows what HAS been changed?
 

boomerang

Member
Messages
412
In most cases thicker oil is used to prevent damage at bearings.
And that is exactly what seems to have happened to early engines.
Question is, why can it not be used on the earlier engines, while it MUST be used in later ones.
 

DLax69

Member
Messages
4,179
In most cases thicker oil is used to prevent damage at bearings.
And that is exactly what seems to have happened to early engines.
Question is, why can it not be used on the earlier engines, while it MUST be used in later ones.
I mean, yes. But most mfrs went thinner, not thicker, to help with fuel economy...so bucks the trend, which is odd. All I was saying.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
It can be things like the piston rings, with the ring tension being lower a thinner oil can be used and maintain upper cylinder lubrication, plus areas of higher pressure (cam lobes etc) are more likely to be influenced by oil grade.