Which grade oil should I use for my motor?

[Isaiah92260]

Hello everyone, if you havnt seen my other two threads, I am fairly new to Classic Chevy's. My question I want to ask is, what grade of oil should I use for my high milage motor? I have a 1967 Straight 6 motor. My odometer says 36,000, and for a 63' C10, I'm gonna assume that means it's anywhere from 136,000-236,000 miles. The motor isn't obviously original to the car, so I can't really say how many miles there are on if, but I'm guessing it has anywhere from 90,00-135,000 miles on it already. I don't have the money to rebuild my motor, so I'm wondering what kind of oil should I use that will make it last longer and reduce wear, I live in Palm springs. So it gets 100+ out here during the summer. I only drive the truck 20 minuets a day to work and home, but I do plan on drivin it more on te weekends.

[Isaiah92260]

I'm currently using 5w/30, that's what the motor came with in it.

[oldtrux]

I would probably run 10w30,especially in those temps

[GRX]

The one constant with oil threads is there is no constant. Opinions will vary widely. That said, I run Rotella 15w40 with a bit of Lucas zinc additive in my '69 250. Starts right up at 5 below and 105 above.

[oldtrux]

Originally Posted by GRX

The one constant with oil threads is there is no constant. Opinions will vary widely. That said, I run Rotella 15w40 with a bit of Lucas zinc additive in my '69 250. Starts right up at 5 below and 105 above.

15w40 is diesel oil,i would think it would take a while to get to the top end!i would think the factory called for 10w30,just my 2 cents worth though!

[1963c-10]

I would run an additive with the zinc no matter which oil you go with. Many threads here on flat tappet cams and the zinc or lack of in the moden oils

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

I would run an additive with the zinc no matter which oil you go with. Many threads here on flat tappet cams and the zinc or lack of in the moden oils

I won't don't know what to look for in store if I wanted to get a zinc additive, what brand do I need?

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by oldtrux

15w40 is diesel oil,i would think it would take a while to get to the top end!i would think the factory called for 10w30,just my 2 cents worth though!

I heard the Rotella of good for older cars because of the zinc. It's like buying regular oil but with the zinc already in it. I suppose it won't be too bad depending on the grade.

[picklito]

This table has good info about the additive levels.

https://mobiloil.com/en/~/media/7038...f94e12c89.ashx

[GRX]

Originally Posted by Isaiah92260

I won't don't know what to look for in store if I wanted to get a zinc additive, what brand do I need?

There are many brands available. The two below are most prevalent in my area. STP oil treatment also has ZDDP but in smaller amounts.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by GRX

There are many brands available. The two below are most prevalent in my area. STP oil treatment also has ZDDP but in smaller amounts.

Thank you for your examples.

[Isaiah92260]

I just bought the STP injectors cleaner that the gore into the gas tank. I'm gonna use it next time I get gas. I wish I knew the history on my motor. I'm not sure if it has a lot of slide or not, but Id like to thing so because of how dirty the motor is and all the paint on the valve cover gasket has long need chipped off.

[1963c-10]

The zddp is great stuff.

I will be running the comp cam break in additive in my engine with my oil changes. The engine hasn't been broken in yet, but they recommend it in all the oil changes for flat tappet cams.

[jayoldschool]

I use the Lucas ZDDP break in. When I did the math, a 1/4 bottle at oil change gives the proper amount.

[vince1]

Here's something interesting. Wish I knew how to put it on so you could just click on it.

https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/201...-test-ranking/

[Ronw435]

Great article Vince. I was told by my engine builder that all I need to use is Valvoline 10w30 conventional oil for a long lasting engine and according to the article it is a great oil.

[65chevysub]

Here in Az I run 20w50 during the summer and 10w40 during the winter in my 283. My problem is my gauge reads very low after it gets warmed up. When I first start it, it reads about 50psi.

[TJ's Chevy]

For a straight 6 run Straight 30 with a zinc additive. In the cooler times of the year run a 10w-30 with additive.

[vince1]

Yes, I've used Valvoline before with confidence.

Mostly now I use Castrol because it comes on sale once in a while at our Canadian tire store. Conventional 10-30 one change a year in the 66 C10 250 and the 64 Rambler 232. Synthetic in the Volvo where I run it out to the full 12000 km (7200 mile) oil change interval. The VW TDI has a 15000 (9000 mile) interval and takes a special oil 507.00 spec. I can also get that in a Castrol. Mobil 1 works too.

Additives, nope.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by Isaiah92260

Hello everyone, if you havnt seen my other two threads, I am fairly new to Classic Chevy's. My question I want to ask is, what grade of oil should I use for my high milage motor? I have a 1967 Straight 6 motor. My odometer says 36,000, and for a 63' C10, I'm gonna assume that means it's anywhere from 136,000-236,000 miles. The motor isn't obviously original to the car, so I can't really say how many miles there are on if, but I'm guessing it has anywhere from 90,00-135,000 miles on it already. I don't have the money to rebuild my motor, so I'm wondering what kind of oil should I use that will make it last longer and reduce wear, I live in Palm springs. So it gets 100+ out here during the summer. I only drive the truck 20 minuets a day to work and home, but I do plan on drivin it more on te weekends.

I live about an 90 minutes to the west of you and I run straight 40 weight in my hot rods during the summer.

[jchav62]

I also run the Rotella or Delo 15w40.

[vince1]

The collector car people apparently approached the Boss oil company who formulated an oil with extra zinc. Its called Cam oil and has its loyal users of the product. Can be had at airways (close to the airport) NAPA for about $7 a liter.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by 65chevysub

Here in Az I run 20w50 during the summer and 10w40 during the winter in my 283. My problem is my gauge reads very low after it gets warmed up. When I first start it, it reads about 50psi.

How does the temps run on your truck during the summer? Isn't 20w/50 too thick? It present take long to circulate in the motor when starting up? I like the idea of thinker oil but I like the be more cautious and gather info before I do

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

For a straight 6 run Straight 30 with a zinc additive. In the cooler times of the year run a 10w-30 with additive.

An Old drag racer guy told me to run 30 weight... I think I might do straight 30 or 40 weight or possibly 20w/50 wine it's a old motor and the fan wiggles a little when it's off, so I'm thinking the bearings are wearing out, so that might tell me that other parts are worn... So that might make me go with the thinker oil

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

I would run an additive with the zinc no matter which oil you go with. Many threads here on flat tappet cams and the zinc or lack of in the moden oils

Ditto

I happen to use Valvoline racing oil which has the zinc in it, but I still like to add some.