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Permit a question about changing one's oil in a Packard.

My '55 has been sitting for a least 3 weeks without me taking her out for a drive. (Yes I should be admonished) I plan on changing the oil this weekend and I got to thinking. (That my bride has always told me is a dangerous thing for me)

To the point, is it more prudent to warm up the Packard and then drain the old oil (filter to be changed too) or just drain the old oil cold and fill?

Just wondering?

Kevin,
I always try to get a good warmup. I drive at least 35-40 miles open road or super highway to get everything good and hot. This way any accumulated moisture in block has chance to evaporate and having the oil good and hot all the suspended stuff goes right out drain plug.

Have burned my fingers a few times and ended up dropping plug into oil drain pan. But worth it I think in contributing to overall engine health.

The hot oil change is for modern day spin on filters. Cold, the filter can be difficult to remove.
After 3 years of setting i would drain the oil before starting the engine at all.

BTW i would not necessarily change the oil just because of the 3 years. Go by mileage and color of the oil.

Oil is inexpensive, engine rebuilds are not. Warm the engine up thoroughly and then allow the oil to drain completely, & change the filter and don't forget to clean the sludge at the bottom of the filter housing as well.

I change oil/filter once a year, always well warmed up. And as Dave says clean out the filter housing.

I do the same.

Tom

Is Rotella still the recomended oil for Packard?

Rotella 15w40 would be a good choice for sure.

I think warm oil speeds up the draining process too. Flows faster than cold oil.