Fuel & Oil (what's recommended)

[kombreeze]

I was told by a budy of mine that my heads on my truck wouldn't last. That I should prepair a set of 350 heads for when the 327 heads go out. I never realy asked what ocatan should I run on my stock 327. The only mods are bolt edelbrock car, intake, headers and HEI....

My next question is what oil should I run. I'm assuming she's and original running engine wourse case scenerio one rebuild and she doesn't burn oil that I can see. Drove her 400 miles and the dipstick marks the same.....I was thinking castrol or valvoline high miles...what do you guys use for simular application. She's just to drive around with my kids....and look great while doing it....

[Stocker]

The problem with your 327 heads isn't caused by the wrong octane, it's from the lack of leaded fuel. Tetraethyl lead (I think that's what it was called) was used in all gasolines when that 327 was a modern engine, and it lubricated the valve seats, reducing wear. Unleaded fuel will cause the seats to wear more rapidly, though you may be able to put a lot of miles on the engine without problems. When older heads are rebuilt, steel seats are typically inserted. Your octane requirement will depend on your engine specs and how you drive. If it runs fine on regular and doesn't ping, don't pay extra for increased octane.

As to oil, I would just use any brand-name 10W-30. I *think* some of the 'high-mileage' oils tend to soften the seals; not necessarily a good thing. Others will chime in...

[neonlarry]

I run nothing but synthetic oil in all my vehicles. Does it work? Can't say for sure but I have one with 365K and another with 330K on them.

[Psycho71]

On regular types of oil, I run Valvoline, and Valvoline. Always have, Always will. Some oils will foam at higher rpm or with high volume pumps, and that aint good. I do not know who else's oil won't foam, but I know Valvoline doesn't (from MANY dirt track, and drag racers). Never ran synthetic oil, so no advice there.

As stated before, the 327 heads are having issues due to lack of leaded fuel, but that's already been covered.

Jay

[krue]

I've always run Castrol in my vehicles, never had a problem with it.

[Longhorn Man]

I am a supporter of synthetic, but I wouldn't run it in a mystery motor.
I run vavoline oil, and a NAPA filter... nothing but.
As for the 350 heads statement... I'd recomend 305 heads in all reality. They are a dime a dozen (can probably score the whole engine for free if you look around) they are good for todays fuel, they have smaller chainbers to keep your compression ratio up, and, the small valves will help keep the intake charge velosity high, which helps distribute the intake charge in the cylunder before compression, and tends to leave a cleaner burn.

[Sweet72]

Stocker is right on with the fuel recommendation. I have always used Valvoline but since the EPA has legislated the zinc (additive that flat tappet engines need to survive) out of most engine oils, I'll be using Rotella T. Chevron Delo 400, and Mobil DELVAC also designed as diesel engine oils, contain this additive.

[truckdude239]

Castrol gtx 10w40 in all mine