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What"s your warm oil pressure look like at low idle(~400 rpm), John? If it"s > than 15 psi, I would recommend 10W40 as a good all around oil.). If you have poor oil pressure (<15 psi @400rpm at operating temperature), you might want to consider checking the relief valve, the oil pump, and possibly the main bearings because something is tired in your engine. You might want to try some 20W50 oil in that case. With good oil pressure, you might also consider a diesel rated oil which has a higher detergent content(like Chevron Delo). This would be good for running without a filter. Since you live in the South, 15W40 Delo 400 would probably work well for you. I believe SAE 30 W Delo is also available but like the multi-vis oils over straight weight.I"d use 15W40 in my TO-30 except in winter here in Western Montana it doesn"t work as well as 10W40.) Keep track of your operating hours. I"d start out with a target of 50 hrs ( 1/2 the recommended interval)for an oil change and check the oil for "dirtiness by wiping the dip stick on a clean white paper towel and seeing how dirty it looks on the paper. Do this check regularly.When it looks black instead of brownish, I"d change it and note the operating hours. I"d check it this way regulary and if , for example, it turns blackish at 40 hours and I checked it last a 30 hrs, I"d change it and then make sure to check it at 35 hours and if was still brownish on the paper towel, I"d change it evry 35 hrs because I know that it was black between 35 and 40 hrs. Of course how hard you work it is going to have an major impact, but you get my line of reasoning. The other way to determine this (and the best way) is to have an oil sample analyzed and use their recommendation. In the mean time, keep you eyes peeled for a TO-20 engine that someone is parting out to see if you can glom onto a oil filter assembly for a TO-20/TE-20. Good Luck.
Jerry
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