Need advice on oil

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Apr 13, 2013 | 02:33 PM

sledgehammer16

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Need advice on oil

hey guys so I'm gonna start getting the vette prepped for summer looking for some oil advice. On my 1980 vette stock 350 I was using just conventional 5w-30 castrol high milage gtx oil. Now Since late last summer I took out the engine slightly beefed up the cam replaced lifters put in a new high volume oil pump timing chain and balancer changed all gaskets and cleaned all the sludge out of oil Pan and push rods and such re paint only thing I didn't change where the heads ,crank, and valves. I figure I do the heads another day since compression was anywhere between 150-170psi. Not horrible I thought so kept them around. Only issue is it seems be leaking a bit still by back of oil pan/rear main seal which was an issue I had before the rebuild. So that was just some background. My question is what oil can I use that is in the best interest/safe for the car and perform well. I'm not sure if I should start using a synthetic blend or full synthetic or stay with conventional. Also will the high milage stuff still help my engine or do damage since now there is a mixture of old and new parts. Not sure what direction to go please someone guide me the right way.

Apr 13, 2013 | 03:51 PM

noonie

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Joined: Mar 2006

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From: Florida

Refer to your cam/lifter manufacturer for the breakin oil/suppliment they require and oil specs they recommend

Apr 13, 2013 | 07:25 PM

63mako

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From: Millington Illinois

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Read post 1 here.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ppet-oils.html
I would use Amsoil Z-rod 10W-30 It is on the list and has everything you need. You just opened a big can of worms.

Apr 14, 2013 | 08:31 AM

C66 Racing

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From: King George VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63mako

You just opened a big can of worms.

Here is the oil 63mako mentions which I do think is a really good choice for you:
AMSOIL Z-ROD 10w30 Synthetic Motor Oil (Product Code ZRTQT)
(zinc – 1440 ppm, phosphorus 1320 ppm)

More than happy to get AMSOIL products for forum members at dealer wholesale pricing, about 25% below retail, via the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program. Drop me a PM if interested.

__________________

C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
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AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)

Apr 14, 2013 | 02:48 PM

Rich's'78

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Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 485

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From: Oakville ON

Quote:

Originally Posted by noonie

Refer to your cam/lifter manufacturer for the breakin oil/suppliment they require and oil specs they recommend

I called Comp Cams and asked about oil. He said use break in supplement for 1000 miles and then you will be fine (no wiped lobes).

Apr 17, 2013 | 05:31 PM

sledgehammer16

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Awesome guys thanks for the advice!!!!!!

Apr 17, 2013 | 08:31 PM

Phil Zell

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From: l In

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich's'78

I called Comp Cams and asked about oil. He said use break in supplement for 1000 miles and then you will be fine (no wiped lobes).

And I will add that the guy from Comp Cams is full of sheet.

Apr 17, 2013 | 08:58 PM

oldschoolvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 7,215

Likes: 1

From: Orlando FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Zell

And I will add that the guy from Comp Cams is full of sheet.

is it a tech data sheet or just regular sheet?

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Apr 18, 2013 | 10:46 PM

63mako

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From: Millington Illinois

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Zell

And I will add that the guy from Comp Cams is full of sheet.

The Tech at Comp Cams is likely a high school kid with an after school job answering phones.

Apr 18, 2013 | 10:52 PM

#10

jackwabbit703

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Joined: Feb 2013

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From: Clifton Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by C66 Racing

I run Amsoil 10w-40 full synthetic (recommended by the engine builder) ever since the engine was built and I wouldn't run anything else. It's 10 dollars a quart but well worth the money.

Apr 19, 2013 | 10:01 AM

#11

1977L48

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Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 600

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From: Key West Florida

what about the additive you can buy? can you just add some every time you change the oil?

Apr 19, 2013 | 10:27 AM

#12

Mike Ward

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If only there was a sticky at the top of the page that answered all these questions and more.............

Apr 19, 2013 | 12:19 PM

#13

Tim H

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Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 3,593

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From: Southern Indiana

What I do is run Qastrol 10W40 and a bottle of Comp Cams break in oil and I have never had a problem.
What you do that makes you feel safe is your decision.

Apr 21, 2013 | 09:11 AM

#14

C66 Racing

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From: King George VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackwabbit703

I run Amsoil 10w-40 full synthetic (recommended by the engine builder) ever since the engine was built and I wouldn't run anything else. It's 10 dollars a quart but well worth the money.

This is also a "high" ZDDP oil recommended by AMSOIL for flat tappet cam engine applications for those that prefer a 40 grade over the Z-ROD 10w30 I mentioned above.
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic Premium Protection 10w40 (Product Code AMOQT)
(zinc – 1378 ppm, phosphorus 1265 ppm)

Apr 21, 2013 | 09:16 AM

#15

63mako

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From: Millington Illinois

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by C66 Racing

This is what I run in my roller 383. ZDDP is not only for Flat tappet cams. It is one of the best if not the best extreme pressure antiwear additive. High HP and RPM load a lot of internals way more than a stock HP, low redline, low spring pressure engine.

Apr 21, 2013 | 09:41 AM

#16

C66 Racing

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From: King George VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63mako

I run AMSOIL's Dominator Racing 10w30 which has even higher ZDDP than the Z-ROD 10w30 or Premium Performance 10w40 in my roller LS6 at the track for all the above reasons.

Apr 21, 2013 | 09:56 AM

#17

Little Mouse

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 5,403

Likes: 95

How about the special oil sold for briggs and stratten ? It has to have some monster flat tappit with high valve spring preasure. I wish i had not changed schools and got there to late in shop class for the briggs tear down.

540rat will get us strait in a minute.

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