How much oil consumption is normal for a 455cui-engine ?

[The German]

My car has seen ca. 94 Kmiles up to now and has an oil consumption of ca.1 Quart per 1000 miles.
Is this in the field of a normal rate ? Or is it way too much and a sign for a much more than normal worn out engine ?

Here in Germany most friends with experience and some specialists of car repair shops said that such a consuption is near to the upper limit but in the region of normal; some of them said it should be good for the engine eating some oil b/c the cylinders would be prevented from wear this way. Okay, that´s what I also know and all my cars needed some oil but not that much. So I´m not really sure about that and I´m curious about what´s your experience.

Every thoughts appreciated ! - Thanks in advance !

[Robroy]

Rolf, it is normal for the engines of this time to consume a little oil.
As long as there is no blue smoke in the exhausts, especially during start up and kick downs, I wouldn’t worry about it.
Oil consumption also depends on what kind of oil you use; maybe the additive has an impact on it too...?
You could also look for leaks which how ever small they may be adds to the consumption under a long time period.

My two c....

[The German]

Yes, oil consumption is normal - but that much ... ? Okay, the engine leaks a little bit and you are right, my special additve in the oil could be a reason for more oil consuption too b/c it will have loosened old cacked-on particles at the cylinders and pistons walls so that they are working more free now with the result that more oil will pass the gaps to the burning room, but again - so much ? Up to now there is no blue smoke as you mentioned and so all might be okay - perhaps even better than before b/c of less wear ... .

Hmm ... , guess it would help me to get informed how much oil the engines of our other friends here are eating over 1000 miles. Please give me your oil consumption experience, guys !

[Gum,beest]

Sorry Rolf
I don't drive that many miles in a season (yet) maybe half that and my oil consumption cannot be measured that way
I change my oil every winter an fill it up with new fresh oil in the start of the season to full and measure it every longer trip and have not noticed any consumption
I use special mineral 10W40 oil for oldtimers
I have approximately 62500 miles on the clock now
The inside of the engine looks brand new (removed the oilpan and the intake this winter) so i believe that the miles are real

[Smartin]

My new engine consumes no oil.

The engine I blew up consumed LOTS of oil, mostly because of the heads I had on it - the valve seals were not very good.

Most, if not all, of my other original engines have consumed a bit of oil. If I drive on the highway for long periods of time, I would see 1 quart over 1000 miles. Normal driving would see 1 quart every couple thousand.

I think your consumption rate it at the high limit of normal. As other stated, just make sure it's not smoking when it's running. If it is, then it is a sign something is wearing out (rings or valve seals).

[The German]

Thanks for giving me your experience, Adam ! Based on what you said about the difference between highway driving and normal driving I now assume that my driving conditions are the most important influence on the oil consumption of my car. The first 2 years since I have my Centurion I was too anxious to accelerate it in a strong way, but last year I changed my way of driving more often from the comfortable to the more sporty way :D. I like to feel the power sometimes and also on the highway I sometimes drove at higher speed (around 90 mph). So the part of sporty driven miles was much higher since the last year as it was before. In combination with my special oil/additive mixture this will be the reason for the higher oil consumption.

Until now I can´t see some ugly smoke coming from the engine when starting it or during stronger acceleration, so the engine seems to be okay. I will keep an eye on how this will develope and I´m sure that I will have oil consuption in my mind now when I´m pressing the acceleration pedal down within the comming months. May be I will test the difference of driving conditions on oil consumption, but that´s a problem of discipline ... . If I will do it and find out something I will tell you about the result here.

At least with your answer, Adam, I feel sure that there is no problem with my engine. - Thanks again for kick off my thoughts about driving conditions as an influence on oil consumption ! Sometimes things are more easy than assumed ... .