I switched to synthetic some where over 300000, don`t remember exactly. I do know the engine ran so much smoother. I may have had a few drips of oil before the change, but changing to synthetic didn`t increase the leaks.
I did have the timing chain break at 330940 miles, but was unrelated to the oil.
as far as the synthetic loosening up gunk in the engine, isn`t the filter there to catch all this gink

. if the oil has been changed on a regular basis, there shouldn`t be a lot of gunk.
the syntheric I use is Amsoil 15/40 Marine Diesel, and I use the Amsoil full flow by-pass filters.
my 2¢ worth.
Charlie ☺