Questions - 1969 Stepside - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bdmcgee · 09-04-2007, 03:16 PM

I just got a 1969 GMC Stepside. . . about 2 weeks ago (posted some pictures today) and I have lots of questions as I start to work on this bad boy! Some of them will be fairly basic. This is my first "project" vehicle, but honestly, this truck is SOLID and only needs minor changes - like a new wood bed and new interrior. Anyway, here we go and THANKS in advance guys.

1. I've been told NOT to run syn oil in an old vehicle. For the life of me I can't figure that one out and when I changed the oil, I used a blend (whihc I use in all my vehicles except the bikes) Comments?

2. Lead gas. . . Is there a way to tell if an engine has had the valves harden? I've been running an additive as a precautionary. Unfortunately the guy I got the truck from, was a "collector" and didn't know much about the cars he stored (had some great looking trailer queens though)

3. I'm not restoring my GMC to 'original', but would like to add the correct badges and emblems. . . Was there a "GMC" across the front of the hood? Was there a "engine size" on the front fender? I believe the truck is a Custom (the glove box has "Custom" on it) Should there be one on the doors?

Thanks very much guys. Any help would be greatly appriciated.

JH [/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

Longhorn Man · 09-04-2007, 04:13 PM

1. Running synthetic is the best thing you can do for the longevity of your engine. Some will argue, but independant labs don't lie. There's a new one comeing out from castroil soon that has high levels of zink, which has been removed from pretty much any oil you'll find oin the market, and is detrimental to the life of the camshaft in your engine.
2 While a 69 is designed for leaded fuel, you can run unleaded without too much damage. Continue with the substitute untill it's no longer sold in your area, then just keep on keeping on. You can fix it at a rebuild, since in all reality, it's never a real good idea to put new heads on a well aged engine.
3. Yes, GMC badges went across the hood on a 69. no, no engine displacement badges on a GMC, Yes, there should be custom script on the top of the doors.

2bits · 09-04-2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

1. Running synthetic is the best thing you can do for the longevity of your engine. Some will argue, but independant labs don't lie. There's a new one comeing out from castroil soon that has high levels of zink, which has been removed from pretty much any oil you'll find oin the market, and is detrimental to the life of the camshaft in your engine.

I'm sure it's a typo or confusion on my part, but I am confused about this statement, at first you say synthetic is great, but then you mention the new one coming out that has high levels of Zinc and is detrimental to the life of the camshaft. Can you clear up my fuzzy brain?

hgs_notes · 09-04-2007, 05:22 PM

I think he meant that the lack of zinc in the newer oils was the problem, which caused some premature cam shaft wear.

Longhorn Man · 09-04-2007, 06:18 PM

Conventional verses synthetic.... while the synthetic is way better, most of them still don't have the zink to protect the camshaft. If it is certified for moden vehicles (ANYTHING you see on wall mart shaf or at juffy lube, or 99.9% of any place you'd look for oil) it won't have enough zink to protect the cam.
The Synthetic is still better than conventional oil though.

The new oil coming out by castrol http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=7032644 has said zink.

hgs_notes · 09-04-2007, 06:28 PM

Hot Rod magazine recently had an article discussing oils and cam shafts. I think they were using a diesel engine oil because it had more of the additives for protection.

chip46wis · 09-04-2007, 07:04 PM

Just a thought on the unleaded thing-I used to run a 481 inch 69 camaro which I would treat to aviation gas occasionally which most of us know is unleaded-I would pour about 1/4 can of marvel mystery oil in the tank and never worried about it.Less marvel would have been fine also---for a driver I would guess 1/8 can would suffice.

Longhorn Man · 09-04-2007, 07:09 PM

the diesel oils lost there zink recently. Shell's Rotella oil was the main one recomended,now they have no zink in it.
Never heard of marvel mystery oil protecting the valve seats.

2bits · 09-05-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

I think he meant that the lack of zinc in the newer oils was the problem, which caused some premature cam shaft wear.

OK, I re read it and I get it hehe... thanks

I was at work and thus not thinking haha...

Brock · 09-05-2007, 10:31 AM

One thing about synthetic oil is they are Slippery-er than regular oil (I know thats not a word). So they allow for easier movement of parts = increased horsepower (a little) = less wear...however IF you engine already has a little wear and things are not seated quite as tightly as they once were, this could lead to leakage/oil useage/deposits... SO, if your engine is still tight and fresh let the synthetics roll...if your engine has a little wear (which most of ours do) then you have a choice to make.

Longhorn Man · 09-05-2007, 03:35 PM

I see that said all the time, but i have swiched many 100,000+ mile old engines... and never had a single issue with leaks, blow by, tail pipe smoke... you can ask anyone that attended the 2nd Ohio board meet a couple years ago, my old town car was a steaming pile of dog crap. I dumped mobile one in it the day I got it, and never had these problems, and that sucker had 180,000 miles on it when i got it. I think it was at 205,000 when i sold it.
Many regular customers at our shop have been making the chainge here lately too, fleet cars and trucks and vans, all with over 100K, some up into the 300 - 350K areas, never an issue.

09-04-2007, 03:16 PM	#1
bdmcgee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Michigan Posts: 42	Questions - 1969 Stepside I just got a 1969 GMC Stepside. . . about 2 weeks ago (posted some pictures today) and I have lots of questions as I start to work on this bad boy! Some of them will be fairly basic. This is my first "project" vehicle, but honestly, this truck is SOLID and only needs minor changes - like a new wood bed and new interrior. Anyway, here we go and THANKS in advance guys. 1. I've been told NOT to run syn oil in an old vehicle. For the life of me I can't figure that one out and when I changed the oil, I used a blend (whihc I use in all my vehicles except the bikes) Comments? 2. Lead gas. . . Is there a way to tell if an engine has had the valves harden? I've been running an additive as a precautionary. Unfortunately the guy I got the truck from, was a "collector" and didn't know much about the cars he stored (had some great looking trailer queens though) 3. I'm not restoring my GMC to 'original', but would like to add the correct badges and emblems. . . Was there a "GMC" across the front of the hood? Was there a "engine size" on the front fender? I believe the truck is a Custom (the glove box has "Custom" on it) Should there be one on the doors? Thanks very much guys. Any help would be greatly appriciated. JH [/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

09-04-2007, 04:13 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Questions - 1969 Stepside 1. Running synthetic is the best thing you can do for the longevity of your engine. Some will argue, but independant labs don't lie. There's a new one comeing out from castroil soon that has high levels of zink, which has been removed from pretty much any oil you'll find oin the market, and is detrimental to the life of the camshaft in your engine. 2 While a 69 is designed for leaded fuel, you can run unleaded without too much damage. Continue with the substitute untill it's no longer sold in your area, then just keep on keeping on. You can fix it at a rebuild, since in all reality, it's never a real good idea to put new heads on a well aged engine. 3. Yes, GMC badges went across the hood on a 69. no, no engine displacement badges on a GMC, Yes, there should be custom script on the top of the doors.

09-04-2007, 05:22 PM	#4
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,122	Re: Questions - 1969 Stepside I think he meant that the lack of zinc in the newer oils was the problem, which caused some premature cam shaft wear. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

09-04-2007, 06:18 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Questions - 1969 Stepside Conventional verses synthetic.... while the synthetic is way better, most of them still don't have the zink to protect the camshaft. If it is certified for moden vehicles (ANYTHING you see on wall mart shaf or at juffy lube, or 99.9% of any place you'd look for oil) it won't have enough zink to protect the cam. The Synthetic is still better than conventional oil though. The new oil coming out by castrol http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=7032644 has said zink.

09-04-2007, 06:28 PM	#6
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,122	Re: Questions - 1969 Stepside Hot Rod magazine recently had an article discussing oils and cam shafts. I think they were using a diesel engine oil because it had more of the additives for protection. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

09-04-2007, 07:04 PM	#7
chip46wis Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,317	Re: Questions - 1969 Stepside Just a thought on the unleaded thing-I used to run a 481 inch 69 camaro which I would treat to aviation gas occasionally which most of us know is unleaded-I would pour about 1/4 can of marvel mystery oil in the tank and never worried about it.Less marvel would have been fine also---for a driver I would guess 1/8 can would suffice. Last edited by chip46wis; 09-04-2007 at 07:04 PM.

09-04-2007, 07:09 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Questions - 1969 Stepside the diesel oils lost there zink recently. Shell's Rotella oil was the main one recomended,now they have no zink in it. Never heard of marvel mystery oil protecting the valve seats.

09-05-2007, 10:31 AM	#10
Brock upgrading to an older model Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, KY Posts: 346	Re: Questions - 1969 Stepside One thing about synthetic oil is they are Slippery-er than regular oil (I know thats not a word). So they allow for easier movement of parts = increased horsepower (a little) = less wear...however IF you engine already has a little wear and things are not seated quite as tightly as they once were, this could lead to leakage/oil useage/deposits... SO, if your engine is still tight and fresh let the synthetics roll...if your engine has a little wear (which most of ours do) then you have a choice to make. __________________ 68 stepside, short-box, multi-colored (for now)

09-05-2007, 03:35 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Questions - 1969 Stepside I see that said all the time, but i have swiched many 100,000+ mile old engines... and never had a single issue with leaks, blow by, tail pipe smoke... you can ask anyone that attended the 2nd Ohio board meet a couple years ago, my old town car was a steaming pile of dog crap. I dumped mobile one in it the day I got it, and never had these problems, and that sucker had 180,000 miles on it when i got it. I think it was at 205,000 when i sold it. Many regular customers at our shop have been making the chainge here lately too, fleet cars and trucks and vans, all with over 100K, some up into the 300 - 350K areas, never an issue.



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