ashes0

I'm curious on people's opinions on what oil they use for their original engines. Organic or synthetic? 30 or 40?

cv67

any

:inbeforethemustusesecretsauceoilguys:

Wrecked82

I started using an organic for high mileage cars - have 210K on mine. Stopped a rear main seal leak that I had for years! Valvoline.

billla

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ppet-oils.html

Any oil from the list

billla

So from your perspective - with a flat-tappet cam, any oil is OK?

Just askin'

Mike Ward

This should be amusing. The ABR club is on the offensive I see.

jackson

Organic diesel truck/hvy equipment oil such as Rotella T, Delo, Delvac ... or ... or the most expensive boutique oil available

"Don't cultivate a luxury you cannot support as a habit" -- Orson Welles, 1952

hugie82

I use Rotella Diesel for a stock well used V8

69vettester

have you tried a full synth oil in the engine? It may leak like a siv, Mine did.

billla

For readers interested in more background on using diesel oil and why it's not on the flat-tappet oil sticky, these two reads are worthwhile:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578321984-post33.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578329098-post40.html

Everyone of course needs to make up their own minds

billla

It does happen with some high-milage engines From the oil sticky:

Note regarding switching from mineral to synthetic
There's a lot of feedback that making this switch causes engines to develop leaks. This can be the case, but it's important to understand why. Synthetic oil is more solvent than mineral oil, meaning that it can clean and remove deposits left my mineral oils - and expose worn or damaged oil seals. If your engine currently uses more than about 1 quart every 1,000 miles, you may experience leaks by switching. Note that this solvency is a good thing; this is exactly what keeps an engine far cleaner when running synthetic.

Snoopysvet

Mike Ward

In the interest of telling the whole story and not just convenient extracts:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-question.html

69 Chevy

I'm super glad I stocked up on the predecessor to BradPenn; Wolfshead straight 30wt when Sears Roebuck had it on sale for 59 cents/quart in plastic bottles. Cause everybody knows the best lubricating oils come out of the ground in northwestern Pennsylvania. And have been since 1859.

69vettester

Cant disagree with that, these engines were made to run on Dino

billla

Well, let's talk about that perspective for a moment

GEN I SBCs might have been designed a long time ago - but I think we'd all agree that these engines have benefitted a bunch from new technology. HEI, retrofit roller cams, Vortec and other incredible cylinder heads, retrofit fuel injection, hypereutectic pistons, etc. 500 FWHP used to be pretty darn hard technically to make happen - now it's just a matter of money

The benefits of synthetic oil are crystal clear, and it works just fine in GEN I's as long as they're sound. New technolgy = better in this case, IMHO

qwank

OK, I read the sticky, and cant find any of these oils stocked at local stores. Or if they have them they don't have the correct weight

Whats a recommended oil I can buy off the shelf that I dont need to order online?

Mike Ward

Rotella T 15W40.

billla

Thanks for reading through the sticky!

I'm surprised that no local stores carry Valvoline, Moble 1 or Castrol in the weights listed...very common weights and brands and contrary to what others note, not exactly "boutique" ;-) I would expect that any parts store that carries those brands would be able to get you a few cases of whatever you choose.

IMHO, I'd bite the bullet and put in the order. I wouldn't take the shortcut route...but it's your 'Vette.

billla

@Mike Ward, pray tell what the ABR stands for in your ABR Club comments?

Curious minds want to know