I am getting ready to change out all of the fluids in my 77 B210. This is to include; engine - trans - radiator - brakes - clutch - diff - wheel bearings - and any other possible fluid's that I can get all over me. I am replacing all greasable parts (ball joint's, etc...).

Questions are, Walmart has a full synthetic for $17.99, is it worth the savings
are do I use the tried and true Mobil 1? I live in an avg. temp of about 60 Deg. It rarely goes above 80 or below 40. What viscosity should I use. What brand and weight of gear oil's should I use? Should I use a synthetic? Purple Oil? For the wheel bearings, is the Moly blend I read about in a "different a14 rebuild" recommended? What do you all use in the rad. (i have an overflow setup)
Dot 3 or 4 for brake and clutch?

I am not only triing to make this car last as long as possible, I am working at getting the best mpg I can muster (without any weight reduction).

Is synthetic worth the cost? Yes, synthetic lubricants are better. Yet non-synthetic lubricants are safe and effective. Good normal lubricants for diff and gearbox can last 20 or 30 years.

For best fuel economy, buy Energy Savings stamped lubricants. Synthetic blend engine oil is perhap your best economy. But then when regular oil is on sale, you can't beat the price.

Speaking of economy, is it good economy to save $3 on fuel over 3000 miles while costing $7 extra for full synthetic? Do the math. Manufacturers now specify more expensive oils. However they are under government mandate to reduce fleet fuel consumption whatever the cost. So we cannot assume anything by their adoption. They will pass the cost on to the buyer even if it cost more in the long run.

Here's my list:

Engine Mobil 1
Tranny Valvoline Synthetic 90W
Rear Diff Motul LSD synthetic 90W
I used a synthetic marine grease on the wheel bearings.

The Motul stuff is great, I have this left over from my showroom stock Miata. I can tell you the Motul engine oil was worth almost 2 mpg but given it was $7 a quart that might not be economical.

Tom

Thank you for the replies! On cost of synthetics; I am not real concerned about the cost savings between MPG and added cost of synthetic's. I want a real world comparison of a mid 70's stock vehicle that was around $3000.00 new against a new vehicle costing $15,000.00+. I believe all new high MPG vehicle use synthetics. I don't believe using the latest technology in tune-up gear, fluids and tires is cheating. I currently have achieved 47mpg at 60 steady for 300 miles, this is without any of the aforementioned changes being done. I recently had an argument with a few of my budies, running the new vehicles, that there is no comparison between my first new car (a 77 B210 HB 5spd) and there ubsurdly expensive jalopies. After I have my 77 restored and brought current, I challange them to drive it and make the same statement!

Now I will stand down off my soap box. One of my original questions is that I spotted a gallon of full synthetic at the local wally world and I wondered how it may compare to the gold standard of Mobil 1.

"CONOCO PHILLIPS" IN EVERY APPLICATION-ACCEPT NO OTHERS!!!

"Conoco Phillips" Is this a synthetic? I am aware of the service stations but I have never purchased a product of thiers.

I would also like to get some more input on the viscosities - especialy on the motor oil.

Excellent! the B210 with 5-speed was rated and 47 or 50 mpg (depending on year) by the EPA, and a few owners got exactly that.

blownb310 in New York is doing economy runs in his B210 5-speed this year, and has topped 61 mpg: A completely different A-series build!

NOTE about EPA ratings: Carbureted cars were notorious for variability (some owners got the EPA ratings, some/most did not). Further, the EPA test process didn't match how most people drive, so In 2008, the EPA changed their test to be more "realistic" and released adjustments to the older ratings. The champion 1989 Honda Civic Hf (56 mpg) was re-rated at only 50 mpg.

I am quite happy with my current MPG...butttt...too much of a good thing is never enough! Aargghhh!! I am just never satisfied. Anywho, on a side note. I had never heard of a "Multi-Gap" plug untill reading about them on the "a different A14" topic. In getting ready to replace the plugs on my newly puchased B I found it itself takes the "Multi-Gap" plug. I am looking forward to picking up a set and giving them a whirl.