stock 454 oil capacity - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tiger Joe · 04-05-2018, 02:18 PM

what is the stock oil capacity for the 454s from 73-87?

we swapped a 454 on our 79 C30. We have an original owners manual for a 79, says 6 qts. the engine we swapped in is supposedly out of a 76 pickup originally, was mostly irrelevant because we rebuilt it all, BUT we did use the oil pan on it. had no dipstick so I bought a replacement dipstick for a 79 454.

engine is exactly on full with only 5 quarts.

just want to figure out if I had the wrong oil pan, maybe the wrong dipstick, or if it really is supposed to only be 5 quarts

**MJN** · 04-06-2018, 02:55 PM

Here is a link to a 1977 GM service manual. http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/tech...ice_Manual.pdf

Bottom of page 0B-2, crankcase capacity without filter is 4 qts. The filter holds another quart so 5 quarts total assuming all stock parts were used. The 1979 GM service manual states 6 qts without filter change and 7 qts with filter change on page 0B-17.
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/tech...ice_Manual.pdf

DieselSJ · 04-06-2018, 03:40 PM

Dipsticks and tubes should be matched for the year as there were some different lengths.

I don't know what the manual says, but my '87 takes 6 quarts when I change the oil and filter.

100%Chevy · 04-06-2018, 07:39 PM

It all depends on the oil pan used and the size filter used.
I had a 427 TD that had a 10 quart pan and 2 quart filter.Came from a big tandem axle truck with a fifth wheel.
My 65 Impala with a 454 actually holds a little less than 5 quarts.
And,then there's add on oil coolers too.
If you have the original pan on the engine,look up the numbers on the engine and see what it calls for.
Mike.

Tiger Joe · 04-06-2018, 08:54 PM

Interesting.

So they must have changed pans between 76 and 79 to allow for extra capacity.

And the 79 owners manual says 6 with filter not 7.

tucsonjwt · 04-08-2018, 07:20 PM

My 83 C20 454 takes 7 qts. It is a camper special - deep oil pan, factory oil cooler, 1 qt. long oil filter. Surprisingly, it has never burned oil, but I drive it only in the city. I think if I hammered it on the freeway it would start to drink some oil.

Tom · 04-09-2018, 08:31 PM

5qts......amazing. A 4cyl mercedes will take 8-9.

LT7A · 04-13-2018, 08:58 PM

I have this exact same dilemma. My 454 was swapped in in lieu of a 6.2 diesel before I got the truck, and I don't know when it's from. Maybe you and I can post pictures of our oil pans and if anybody else that has a factory setup and knows their capacity is willing to post a picture, we can get closer by comparing oil pans. My dipstick shows full at 5 quarts, but my truck is a Camper Special and I would like to change the pan out to bigger capacity. But there's always a chance that I've just got the wrong dipstick.

04-05-2018, 02:18 PM	#1
Tiger Joe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: South of Pittsburgh Posts: 428	stock 454 oil capacity what is the stock oil capacity for the 454s from 73-87? we swapped a 454 on our 79 C30. We have an original owners manual for a 79, says 6 qts. the engine we swapped in is supposedly out of a 76 pickup originally, was mostly irrelevant because we rebuilt it all, BUT we did use the oil pan on it. had no dipstick so I bought a replacement dipstick for a 79 454. engine is exactly on full with only 5 quarts. just want to figure out if I had the wrong oil pan, maybe the wrong dipstick, or if it really is supposed to only be 5 quarts

04-06-2018, 02:55 PM	#2
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 2,985	Re: stock 454 oil capacity Here is a link to a 1977 GM service manual. http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/tech...ice_Manual.pdf Bottom of page 0B-2, crankcase capacity without filter is 4 qts. The filter holds another quart so 5 quarts total assuming all stock parts were used. The 1979 GM service manual states 6 qts without filter change and 7 qts with filter change on page 0B-17. http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/tech...ice_Manual.pdf __________________ '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 Last edited by MJN; 04-06-2018 at 03:03 PM.

04-06-2018, 03:40 PM	#3
DieselSJ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 574	Re: stock 454 oil capacity Dipsticks and tubes should be matched for the year as there were some different lengths. I don't know what the manual says, but my '87 takes 6 quarts when I change the oil and filter. __________________ 87 R30 CC Dually, TBI 454, NV4500, zero rust barn find 87 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 6.5 turbodiesel, 700R4

04-06-2018, 07:39 PM	#4
100%Chevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Moss Point,Ms. Posts: 1,439	Re: stock 454 oil capacity It all depends on the oil pan used and the size filter used. I had a 427 TD that had a 10 quart pan and 2 quart filter.Came from a big tandem axle truck with a fifth wheel. My 65 Impala with a 454 actually holds a little less than 5 quarts. And,then there's add on oil coolers too. If you have the original pan on the engine,look up the numbers on the engine and see what it calls for. Mike.

04-06-2018, 08:54 PM	#5
Tiger Joe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: South of Pittsburgh Posts: 428	Re: stock 454 oil capacity Interesting. So they must have changed pans between 76 and 79 to allow for extra capacity. And the 79 owners manual says 6 with filter not 7.

04-08-2018, 07:20 PM	#6
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,188	Re: stock 454 oil capacity My 83 C20 454 takes 7 qts. It is a camper special - deep oil pan, factory oil cooler, 1 qt. long oil filter. Surprisingly, it has never burned oil, but I drive it only in the city. I think if I hammered it on the freeway it would start to drink some oil.

04-09-2018, 08:31 PM	#7
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,711	Re: stock 454 oil capacity 5qts......amazing. A 4cyl mercedes will take 8-9. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

04-13-2018, 08:58 PM	#8
LT7A Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: PNW Posts: 3,577	Re: stock 454 oil capacity I have this exact same dilemma. My 454 was swapped in in lieu of a 6.2 diesel before I got the truck, and I don't know when it's from. Maybe you and I can post pictures of our oil pans and if anybody else that has a factory setup and knows their capacity is willing to post a picture, we can get closer by comparing oil pans. My dipstick shows full at 5 quarts, but my truck is a Camper Special and I would like to change the pan out to bigger capacity. But there's always a chance that I've just got the wrong dipstick.



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