Motor oil for original engine? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 01-20-2015, 04:20 PM

I have a 71 402 with 396 heads.

Since the rebuild I've used 10-40 and 20-50 VALVOLINE DURABLEND, and the engine hums in appreciation. But the auto part stores have phased out DURABLEND, so I'm wondering, what engine oil and viscosity do you folks recommend?

Thanks!

CST10 · 01-20-2015, 04:28 PM

I use rotella 15W/40. Has enough of the good stuff still in it, but they are slowly taking the ZDDP out of the heavy duty diesel oils.

RedRoad · 01-20-2015, 07:01 PM

They have taken most of the zinc out of rotella 4 years ago.

Valvoline VR1 RACE 20/50 is on the shelf of most auto parts and has the zinc required for flat tappet cams, I use 10/30 for new builds if I can find it as they are phasing it out also

CST10 · 01-20-2015, 07:24 PM

According to an independent oil analysis, rotella is suppose to still be around 1100 ppm which is getting on the low side as RedRoad indicated.

72MARIO · 01-20-2015, 11:25 PM

Brad Penn or Joe Gibbs also Royal Purple have oils designed specifically for hydraulic camshafts.

enaberif · 01-21-2015, 12:07 AM

Depends where you live. Look into CAM oil its 15w40 and has a ton of zddp. Locally I can pick up a quart for $7.

http://www.camoils.com/location/usa.php

**Joe Pass** · 01-21-2015, 12:54 AM

I add ZDDP to Quaker state 10w-40...I purchased it on EBay from ellispreformancedistribution (3797 ). Best deal I found plus free shipping.
If you do some research on oils, most of the oils offered with the ZDDP are racing oils. Racing oils usually are changed between events and weren't meant for daily drivers.
Check out "Bob the oil guy" www.bobistheoilguy.com and you will open up a world of oil crazy engineers testing and talking oil. They also discuss ZDDP used in many applications other than oil.
Its not easy reading at best but I find real world discussions about oils, filters that helped me make my selections....

hamjet · 01-21-2015, 08:12 AM

I just recieved my Isky cam and it states to use, Brad Penn Penn grade 1, Pennzoil GTP racing oil, or Valvoline Racing oil. If you don't use any of the above, use any oil with EOS for the added Zinc/phosphorus in it. If you must use synthetic oil, use, Amzoil (red) racing oil and Joe Gibbs performance racing oil. Both have zinc and phosphorus in them. Synthetics are not to be used for break in though. I tried to load the sheet here but the file was too big, I dont have a program to shrink it. ( This is with flat tappet cams)..

engineer_gregh · 01-21-2015, 09:09 AM

I've decided to use Comp Cams Break in oil at every oil change in my 402 with 396 heads. According to the Comp Cams technical folks it basically the same oil as their muscle car oil just more zinc.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 01-23-2015, 10:21 PM

Have to admit I was unaware of this SDDP issue. I'm going to start using the additive with the Durablend. Guess I'll be getting both online. Here's some REAL interesting reading:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1049812

hdff · 01-24-2015, 09:44 PM

I have been using Amsoil Zrod 10w30. Claims to be made for older cars that need more zinc

ElKotze · 01-28-2015, 12:32 AM

Today I had a very interesting conversation with our local NAPA guy. He is a total gear head, owns several classic vehicles, a couple of 67-72's among them. He is also drag racing and has built many engines for his cars and trucks. His NAPA shop also has a car repair shop included, so he just sees a lot of cars come and go. So I was wondering what he thinks about all that, since he is affected,too , and what oil he is using. He said, in stock and mild street flat tappet motors he is using the NAPA 15-40 Fleet Oil. I know, I know....NAPA guy trying to sell his stuff, but he explained it : Oil manufacturers are required to take out the zddp out of their products, EXCEPT FOR FLEET AND HIGH MILEAGE OILS , because they are only a very small percentage of the overall production !! So any fleet oil or high mileage oil has the good stuff still in it, he just uses the NAPA oil since it is sitting on his shelves. Oh, by the way, the NAPA oil is made by VALVOLINE, I didn't know that. I just thought I would share this.

9teen69 · 01-28-2015, 12:48 AM

Good to know- thanks for the info!

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 02-15-2015, 11:35 PM

I used this, and may stick to it. Been using Durablend all along.

Amazon.com: Valvoline VV301 DuraBlend SAE 10W-40...

Amazon.com: Zddp Maxx Free Shipping Zddp oil...

01-20-2015, 04:20 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,322	Motor oil for original engine? I have a 71 402 with 396 heads. Since the rebuild I've used 10-40 and 20-50 VALVOLINE DURABLEND, and the engine hums in appreciation. But the auto part stores have phased out DURABLEND, so I'm wondering, what engine oil and viscosity do you folks recommend? Thanks! Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 01-20-2015 at 04:28 PM.

01-20-2015, 04:28 PM	#2
CST10 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Gonzales, La Posts: 1,441	Re: Motor oil for original engine? I use rotella 15W/40. Has enough of the good stuff still in it, but they are slowly taking the ZDDP out of the heavy duty diesel oils. __________________ MyToys: Goldilocks the "Ol School Survivor" 1968 C10, SWB Stepside, 08/15 TOTM, 250 CI 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, 3.73 rear, 3/5 static drop, 23,500 original miles. Samson the 1970 CST10, LWB, 462Ci, Turbo 350 tranny, 3.08 rear gear, PB, PS, A/C, AM/FM, 2/4 Drop. Brutus the 1998 Camaro Z28, 33,500 original miles, LS1, 519 RWHP/497 RWTQ. Member of the Louisiana Classic Truck Club, LCTC Member of the Louisiana C10 Club Member of the Baton Rouge Drifters Car Club

01-20-2015, 07:01 PM	#3
RedRoad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 927	Re: Motor oil for original engine? They have taken most of the zinc out of rotella 4 years ago. Valvoline VR1 RACE 20/50 is on the shelf of most auto parts and has the zinc required for flat tappet cams, I use 10/30 for new builds if I can find it as they are phasing it out also

01-20-2015, 07:24 PM	#4
CST10 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Gonzales, La Posts: 1,441	Re: Motor oil for original engine? According to an independent oil analysis, rotella is suppose to still be around 1100 ppm which is getting on the low side as RedRoad indicated. __________________ MyToys: Goldilocks the "Ol School Survivor" 1968 C10, SWB Stepside, 08/15 TOTM, 250 CI 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, 3.73 rear, 3/5 static drop, 23,500 original miles. Samson the 1970 CST10, LWB, 462Ci, Turbo 350 tranny, 3.08 rear gear, PB, PS, A/C, AM/FM, 2/4 Drop. Brutus the 1998 Camaro Z28, 33,500 original miles, LS1, 519 RWHP/497 RWTQ. Member of the Louisiana Classic Truck Club, LCTC Member of the Louisiana C10 Club Member of the Baton Rouge Drifters Car Club

01-20-2015, 11:25 PM	#5
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: Motor oil for original engine? Brad Penn or Joe Gibbs also Royal Purple have oils designed specifically for hydraulic camshafts. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

01-21-2015, 12:07 AM	#6
enaberif Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,181	Re: Motor oil for original engine? Depends where you live. Look into CAM oil its 15w40 and has a ton of zddp. Locally I can pick up a quart for $7. http://www.camoils.com/location/usa.php

01-21-2015, 12:54 AM	#7
Joe Pass Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Windsor, California Posts: 1,042	Re: Motor oil for original engine? I add ZDDP to Quaker state 10w-40...I purchased it on EBay from ellispreformancedistribution (3797 ). Best deal I found plus free shipping. If you do some research on oils, most of the oils offered with the ZDDP are racing oils. Racing oils usually are changed between events and weren't meant for daily drivers. Check out "Bob the oil guy" www.bobistheoilguy.com and you will open up a world of oil crazy engineers testing and talking oil. They also discuss ZDDP used in many applications other than oil. Its not easy reading at best but I find real world discussions about oils, filters that helped me make my selections....

01-21-2015, 08:12 AM	#8
hamjet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Westerlo, New York Posts: 1,325	Re: Motor oil for original engine? I just recieved my Isky cam and it states to use, Brad Penn Penn grade 1, Pennzoil GTP racing oil, or Valvoline Racing oil. If you don't use any of the above, use any oil with EOS for the added Zinc/phosphorus in it. If you must use synthetic oil, use, Amzoil (red) racing oil and Joe Gibbs performance racing oil. Both have zinc and phosphorus in them. Synthetics are not to be used for break in though. I tried to load the sheet here but the file was too big, I dont have a program to shrink it. ( This is with flat tappet cams).. __________________ Thanks, Joe.. 1969 C/10, 348 C.I., 3X2 bbl. V8, 2004r , LWB. Last edited by hamjet; 01-21-2015 at 08:29 AM.

01-21-2015, 09:09 AM	#9
engineer_gregh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Smyrna TN Posts: 1,153	Re: Motor oil for original engine? I've decided to use Comp Cams Break in oil at every oil change in my 402 with 396 heads. According to the Comp Cams technical folks it basically the same oil as their muscle car oil just more zinc. __________________ 1971 Longbed BB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed SB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed Highlander Custom Deluxe 1975 K5 4x4 full convertible Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645165 Greg Smyrna TN

01-23-2015, 10:21 PM	#10
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,322	Re: Motor oil for original engine? Have to admit I was unaware of this SDDP issue. I'm going to start using the additive with the Durablend. Guess I'll be getting both online. Here's some REAL interesting reading: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1049812

01-24-2015, 09:44 PM	#11
hdff Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: pasadena,TEXAS Posts: 880	Re: Motor oil for original engine? I have been using Amsoil Zrod 10w30. Claims to be made for older cars that need more zinc __________________ 1971 Cheyenne SWB 402BB, 700R4, 3.73 posi, PS, PB, A/C, Tilt, Tach "Wanda" Don't argue with idiots, People watching may not be able to tell the difference... There's someone in my head........But it's not me...... cheap tricks thread great info here!! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

01-28-2015, 12:32 AM	#12
ElKotze Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Southwest Kansas Posts: 306	Re: Motor oil for original engine? Today I had a very interesting conversation with our local NAPA guy. He is a total gear head, owns several classic vehicles, a couple of 67-72's among them. He is also drag racing and has built many engines for his cars and trucks. His NAPA shop also has a car repair shop included, so he just sees a lot of cars come and go. So I was wondering what he thinks about all that, since he is affected,too , and what oil he is using. He said, in stock and mild street flat tappet motors he is using the NAPA 15-40 Fleet Oil. I know, I know....NAPA guy trying to sell his stuff, but he explained it : Oil manufacturers are required to take out the zddp out of their products, EXCEPT FOR FLEET AND HIGH MILEAGE OILS , because they are only a very small percentage of the overall production !! So any fleet oil or high mileage oil has the good stuff still in it, he just uses the NAPA oil since it is sitting on his shelves. Oh, by the way, the NAPA oil is made by VALVOLINE, I didn't know that. I just thought I would share this.

01-28-2015, 12:48 AM	#13
9teen69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,048	Re: Motor oil for original engine? Good to know- thanks for the info! __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB C10 (daily driver) (Super fake cause I just love the glovebox emblem) 70 Camaro RS (frame-off in pieces) 70 Camaro RS (daily driver backup) 69 Custom LWB C10 (son now drives)

02-15-2015, 11:35 PM	#14
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,322	Re: Motor oil for original engine? I used this, and may stick to it. Been using Durablend all along. Amazon.com: Valvoline VV301 DuraBlend SAE 10W-40... Amazon.com: Zddp Maxx Free Shipping Zddp oil...

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