OK I think I have collected enough information with the help of you guys to be quite ready to start taking things apart. Valve covers will be the first thing to go and I will report on my findings.
I have been using Castrol GTX High-mileage 10W-40 -the car has just under 100K miles. I live in Baltimore, MD, and the car is always garaged -so it rarely goes below freezing; summers are quite hot and humid... I drive maybe 3-4000 miles / year.
I have also been using Mobil 1 for a while and wanted to go fully synthetic but I am not quite ready to start chasing oil leaks... Although this should be the one I'd like to use.
Maybe I should start an oil thread -just kidding
Many thanks for all who contributed to this thread; I am about to take the plunge and get my hands dirty and will feel more comfortable knowing that help will never be very far, time-wise at least. This is once again great to have all of this concentration of P-car enthusiasts and experts.
I will report as soon as I have the valve covers off; might have to wait for this week-end -or next, or the one after... So many projects around and inside the house as well... Not counting recommissioning the boat after a loooog winter...
Thanks again -and you can always keep on making suggestions. Best to all !
- Olivier