Oil recommendations for my '79 Chevy 4x4 Pickup? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hoods69BadBowTie · 03-04-2005, 11:14 AM

Ok, I was wondering what kind of oil would you recommend for my 1979 Chevy LongBox 3/4 ton, Lifted sitting on 39.5" swampers. My buddies were telling me I should get a thicker oil because of how big this thing is.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
-Thanx

ryanroo · 03-04-2005, 11:45 AM

the size of the truck has nothing to do with the oil you need. just run 10w-30 or if its a deisel 15w-40.

**MJN** · 03-04-2005, 01:36 PM

'79's weren't diesel so I"m assuming you have a small block or big block in there. The size of your truck doesn't change what oil you run in it. Just run 10w30 or 10w40 which ever you prefer.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 03-04-2005, 05:47 PM

No it is a tired 350 SB with a couple of goodies on it. I was just wondering, because a couple of my buddies were talking to me about it. Just goes to show they don't always know what their talking about. There usually pretty helpful
Thanx thoug.

Mike C · 03-04-2005, 10:37 PM

I've switched to Shell Rotella T 15w40 oil in ALL of my cars. More idle oil pressure in old vehicles, but not as much max psi in cold weather. This seems to be a really good compromise for Texas weather at least. Comes in gallon jugs at Sam's Club also!

Devil'S Ride · 03-05-2005, 02:15 AM

just stick with valvoline 10w30....best oil out there, IMO, thats not synthetic....

4x4Poet · 03-05-2005, 03:38 AM

10w40 might be better for your "tired" 350 since it probably has looser machined tolerances and therefore might benefit from a little thicker oil. One way to check would be to run 10w30 for exactly 3000 miles (or 4k, or 5k) after having filled the oil level to exactly the full line. Note how much oil burned off at the end of the miles put on. Then switch to 10w40, filling to the full line again. Monitor how much burns off after the same number of miles as with 10w30.

If you get more oil usage with the 10w30, you have a fair guess that the engine could benefit from a thicker oil. Be sure to note any differences in driving habits (city, highway, towing, etc.). Severe Winter temps could make 10w30 more desireable, but, as you know, Montana has had its mildest Winter in decades, so you could save that for another Winter.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 03-05-2005, 02:03 PM

Hey, thanx for all the info. Yeah it has been pretty mild indeed. Where are you located at 4x4Poet if you don't mind me asking. I know it says Big Sky Country but that could be any where.
-Later

uncle_handsome · 03-05-2005, 08:04 PM

I live in near Buffalo NY and it can get to -40F here. Our Dodge Caravan (I know, maybe off topic) service book says 10W 30 is only good down to -10 to -20F. For colder areas it recommends 5W30. We use 5W 30 year-round and it runs nice in hot weather (90's F) and starts pretty easy when it's below -10F. I've also poured 5w30 into a snowblower when it was maybe 10 F outside and still looked almost as thin as water; basically the same as it does in hot weather.

Isn't Montana much colder than lower Michigan and western NY?

4x4Poet · 03-06-2005, 02:17 AM

The temps are comparable, but we have an Artic dry cold, whereas you have a lake effect wet cold.

Seriously, a usual Winter for any of the three locales demands 10w30 or 5w30 as you recommend, especially if using conventional oils. I'm in Cascade County.

1976Scottsdale · 03-06-2005, 07:14 PM

I run 10w40 HAvoline in every truck I have, all year round.

03-04-2005, 11:14 AM	#1
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Oil recommendations for my '79 Chevy 4x4 Pickup? Ok, I was wondering what kind of oil would you recommend for my 1979 Chevy LongBox 3/4 ton, Lifted sitting on 39.5" swampers. My buddies were telling me I should get a thicker oil because of how big this thing is. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -Thanx __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

03-04-2005, 11:45 AM	#2
ryanroo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: sw colorado Posts: 2,720	the size of the truck has nothing to do with the oil you need. just run 10w-30 or if its a deisel 15w-40. __________________ 72 K20 12v build 72 K20 "parts truck" A place for your diesel swap questions

03-04-2005, 01:36 PM	#3
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 2,983	'79's weren't diesel so I"m assuming you have a small block or big block in there. The size of your truck doesn't change what oil you run in it. Just run 10w30 or 10w40 which ever you prefer. __________________ '51 South Bend Model "9A" '56 Chevy 3600 NAPCO '74 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20-restored on 37's '72 GMC Sierra Custom K2500- in progress '08 GMC Envoy Denali '12 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali '17 GMC Yukon XL VCCA member #58596 http://www.nohrco.com

03-04-2005, 05:47 PM	#4
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	No it is a tired 350 SB with a couple of goodies on it. I was just wondering, because a couple of my buddies were talking to me about it. Just goes to show they don't always know what their talking about. There usually pretty helpful Thanx thoug. __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

03-04-2005, 10:37 PM	#5
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	I've switched to Shell Rotella T 15w40 oil in ALL of my cars. More idle oil pressure in old vehicles, but not as much max psi in cold weather. This seems to be a really good compromise for Texas weather at least. Comes in gallon jugs at Sam's Club also! __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

03-05-2005, 02:15 AM	#6
Devil'S Ride Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Grants PassOregon Posts: 335	just stick with valvoline 10w30....best oil out there, IMO, thats not synthetic.... __________________ The Devil 1983 ONE TON 454/400/208 11" of lift on 44's

03-05-2005, 03:38 AM	#7
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	10w40 might be better for your "tired" 350 since it probably has looser machined tolerances and therefore might benefit from a little thicker oil. One way to check would be to run 10w30 for exactly 3000 miles (or 4k, or 5k) after having filled the oil level to exactly the full line. Note how much oil burned off at the end of the miles put on. Then switch to 10w40, filling to the full line again. Monitor how much burns off after the same number of miles as with 10w30. If you get more oil usage with the 10w30, you have a fair guess that the engine could benefit from a thicker oil. Be sure to note any differences in driving habits (city, highway, towing, etc.). Severe Winter temps could make 10w30 more desireable, but, as you know, Montana has had its mildest Winter in decades, so you could save that for another Winter. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

03-05-2005, 02:03 PM	#8
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Hey, thanx for all the info. Yeah it has been pretty mild indeed. Where are you located at 4x4Poet if you don't mind me asking. I know it says Big Sky Country but that could be any where. -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

03-05-2005, 08:04 PM	#9
uncle_handsome Uncle H. is this cartoon Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mississauga, SC (I wish! lol!) Ontario Posts: 797	I live in near Buffalo NY and it can get to -40F here. Our Dodge Caravan (I know, maybe off topic) service book says 10W 30 is only good down to -10 to -20F. For colder areas it recommends 5W30. We use 5W 30 year-round and it runs nice in hot weather (90's F) and starts pretty easy when it's below -10F. I've also poured 5w30 into a snowblower when it was maybe 10 F outside and still looked almost as thin as water; basically the same as it does in hot weather. Isn't Montana much colder than lower Michigan and western NY?

03-06-2005, 02:17 AM	#10
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	The temps are comparable, but we have an Artic dry cold, whereas you have a lake effect wet cold. Seriously, a usual Winter for any of the three locales demands 10w30 or 5w30 as you recommend, especially if using conventional oils. I'm in Cascade County. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

03-06-2005, 07:14 PM	#11
1976Scottsdale Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 76	I run 10w40 HAvoline in every truck I have, all year round. __________________ When she starts to knock, bury the pedal and give it a proper death.



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