Synthetic Oil vs. Petroleum Oil

Motor rebuild is almost done and trying to determine whether to go with synthetic vs. petroleum based motor oil.

I know the motor will get broken in with traditional oil and whatever else is recommended.

I've switched my modern cars and '87 German motor to synthetic.

Anyone running synthetic or have any pros or cons based on knowledge/experience?

I realize that I can't go back to petroleum based oil once I start synthetic.

Motor will be pretty stock 350 and I don't foresee that changing at any point.

Thanks!

What happens if you go back to real oil after running synthetic?

go with synthetic!! yet!! if the engine is =a NON ROLLER LIFTER engine ( I suspect it is) = make sure u add the zinc additive to each oil change!! There is NO reason u cant go back to a regular oil- thats another myth from long ago now!! so u know -im still a believer on changing oil & filter @ least every 4000 miles too!! I have engines here that have syn oil in them for over 200,000. now - never a problem & i also have gone back to regular oil;s in the past also. never a problem!!

Good, I didn't want to blow up my daily driver.
Thanks, Sam

If I started running synthetic oil in a brand new rebuilt engine I wouldn't ever go back to conventional oil. I have read that you can go back to conventional oil if you use synthetic or go to synthetic oil if your engine has always had conventional oil ran in it. I have read that synthetic oil is better than conventional motor oil and it lasts longer. I have read that you only have to change it every 8-10 thousand miles vs every 3 thousand miles with conventional motor oil. If true the extra cost of synthetic oil would probably come close to the cost of synthetic oil. I personally can't afford to run synthetic oil in my vehicles but would most definitely run it in them if I could.

I started running syn oil in my 2001 dodge van(bought new) after the first six months. I still change the oil every 5000 miles. now has 210,000 miles on it, the bottom of the engine still looks new. no leaks or dribbles of oil anywhere. I am sold on synthetic oil.