[T3] synthetic oil and oil changing for dummies

[Dan Hoopes <dhoopes@gmail.com>]

I know this is a hot issue and has been hashed over many times, but I
couldn't find a good, succinct answer in the archives.  I have a full
flow filter and have been using conventional oil since the rebuild a
couple of years ago.  the engine is a 1776.

if I switch to a synthetic, can I just do it all at once and then
change my filter a few times?  if so, how often do I need to change
the filter when I make the switch, after 10 miles, or 100 or what and
how many times?  I'd like to have the benefits of synthetic and I
don't mind the cost since only the best goes into Stanley.

If I stay with conventional oil, and I live here in socal where it is
pretty much always between 60 and 85 degrees, should I use 10W-40? I
guess the word on the street is that straight weights are for people
who aren't up on the latest oil technology.  true?

also, next dumb question; does the oil strainer plater *really* need
to be removed with every oil change if the engine is full-flow and and
has a modern style filter?  what is the danger or just draining with
the center plug and then filling?  I thought the filter would take
care of anything that would be floating around so that "cleaning" the
strainer and plate and everything wouldn't be very useful, not to
mention the fact that it about doubles the time it takes to change my
oil.
 
thanks,

Dan 
'67 Square "Stanley"
www.hoopes.net/dan

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