Two questions about engine oil
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
Two questions about engine oil
Hey all,
I need to change the oil in my 78... It has a goodwrench 350 crate engine (no mods) in it from PO. It's certainly not new, but should be fairly low miles.... not exactly sure how many. Anyway, I read through the list in the flat tappet oils sticky, but have some questions. Note: I most often drive this car to/from work, which is 2.5 miles away... all city street miles.
1. I read that synthetic and racing oils aren't a good choice for engines that drive less than 5-10 miles at a time, which seems to leave only Collectors Choice from the sticky. Can someone recommend something I can get at Autozone/Advance Auto?
2. How often should I change the oil (again primarily short drives and ~1500 miles/year)?
Thank you.
I need to change the oil in my 78... It has a goodwrench 350 crate engine (no mods) in it from PO. It's certainly not new, but should be fairly low miles.... not exactly sure how many. Anyway, I read through the list in the flat tappet oils sticky, but have some questions. Note: I most often drive this car to/from work, which is 2.5 miles away... all city street miles.
1. I read that synthetic and racing oils aren't a good choice for engines that drive less than 5-10 miles at a time, which seems to leave only Collectors Choice from the sticky. Can someone recommend something I can get at Autozone/Advance Auto?
2. How often should I change the oil (again primarily short drives and ~1500 miles/year)?
Thank you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
OP w3
? Can you determine if your Goodwrench has flat tappet lifters or roller lifters ?? ... it matters which type oil.
I suggest a practical oil & filter change interval for your stated usage is once per year.
? Can you determine if your Goodwrench has flat tappet lifters or roller lifters ?? ... it matters which type oil.
I suggest a practical oil & filter change interval for your stated usage is once per year.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
1M0722 4VP; 1 =Chevy, M = Mexico, 0722 = July 22 (assembly day), 4 = 1994, VP Engine Suffix code = 350 CID, 260 HP.
So that would most likely be flat tappet?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,465
Likes: 1,486
From: Little Rock AR
Sounds like a flat tappet.
I would run the Valvoline Racing formula silver bottle conventional oil for the high zinc additives in the 10W-30 weight for a GM built crate L48. NAPA has it around here.
I would run the Valvoline Racing formula silver bottle conventional oil for the high zinc additives in the 10W-30 weight for a GM built crate L48. NAPA has it around here.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
so no worries about racing formula in an engine mostly running short driving cycles?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Seems Your Goodwrench probably has flat tappets which need the extra protection rollers don't. It's also likely to have relatively light 75-80 pound seat springs.
brace for impact
https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/prod...synthetic.html
I suggest Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Diesel Oil 5W-40 ... probably on shelf of Your local walmart in 1 gallon & 2.5 gallon jugs. FWIW, ALL T6 is Full Synthetic.
But, if you're in a warmer climate, suggest T6 in 15W-40. When properly maintained, any decent oil will be AOK. That's my tale & I'm sittin' on it.
if you store your vehicle for months at a time, suggest performing oil & filter change immediately prior to storage.
-add-
Latest T6 formulation 5W-40 CK4: Zn=1199, P=1024, TBN=8.0
brace for impact
https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/prod...synthetic.html
I suggest Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Diesel Oil 5W-40 ... probably on shelf of Your local walmart in 1 gallon & 2.5 gallon jugs. FWIW, ALL T6 is Full Synthetic.
But, if you're in a warmer climate, suggest T6 in 15W-40. When properly maintained, any decent oil will be AOK. That's my tale & I'm sittin' on it.
if you store your vehicle for months at a time, suggest performing oil & filter change immediately prior to storage.
-add-
Latest T6 formulation 5W-40 CK4: Zn=1199, P=1024, TBN=8.0
Last edited by jackson; Jan 13, 2020 at 04:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,465
Likes: 1,486
From: Little Rock AR
Short trips are hard because the oil might not get up to full temperature. Any moisture in the crank case is driven out on longer trips. Does not matter what oil is in there if it never gets hot for very long. Better to take it on a good longer run once in a while.
Honestly, I would not over think this too much. Zinc for the cam is the main goal.
Last edited by stingr69; Jan 12, 2020 at 03:57 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 100
From: Indianapolis IN
Use this and use any inexpensive oil of your choice. That should cost alot less than having to buy zinc rich formulations. Synthetic oil would be a waste with your extremely short mileage and yearly oil changes. The additive can be used in a concentration as little as 1/2 oz per qt. and be effective.
This isn't a "snake oil" product, it's the real deal synthetic extreme pressure additive.
This isn't a "snake oil" product, it's the real deal synthetic extreme pressure additive.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,155
Likes: 9,284
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Mobil1 20w50. High in zinc and phosphate, engineered for flat tappets and a 5 quart jug is about $25 at Walmart. Easy to get, great price and it wont break the bank to do 3 changes in the summer driving months
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Agree completely with Sayfoo. There is NO reason not to use full synthetic in any engine or other rotating/meshing mechanism. It's lubricity, film strength, useful life and lack of oxidation just sitting in the crankcase are more than enough reasons to use it instead of organic oil. If you have hi-lift flat tappets with stronger than stock valve springs, you might want to add a little zinc with it. Otherwise, it's good for your engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
I agree with Rescue Rogers, Mobil 1 20-50 on my 78 SA 350 with 124K on the lower end and 45K on a vortec head, came and lifters. I was using 0 - 40 until I saw the 20 - 50 had more zinc.
I'm driving in cool spring weather and putting the car up in mid November when the temperatures are in the 30's when we start out to see some fall color in the Finger Lakes.
I'm driving in cool spring weather and putting the car up in mid November when the temperatures are in the 30's when we start out to see some fall color in the Finger Lakes.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,735
Likes: 63
From: Deep in the Pisgah National Forest
Seems Your Goodwrench probably has flat tappets which need the extra protection rollers don't. It's also likely to have relatively light 75-80 pound seat springs.
brace for impact
https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/prod...synthetic.html
I suggest Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Diesel Oil 5W-40 ... probably on shelf of Your local walmart in 1 gallon & 2.5 gallon jugs. FWIW, ALL T6 is Full Synthetic.
But, if you're in a warmer climate, suggest T6 in 15W-40. When properly maintained, any decent oil will be AOK. That's my tale & I'm sittin' on it.
if you store your vehicle for months at a time, suggest performing oil & filter change immediately prior to storage.
-add-
Latest T6 formulation 5W-40 CK4: Zn=1199, P=1024, TBN=8.0
brace for impact
https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/prod...synthetic.html
I suggest Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Diesel Oil 5W-40 ... probably on shelf of Your local walmart in 1 gallon & 2.5 gallon jugs. FWIW, ALL T6 is Full Synthetic.
But, if you're in a warmer climate, suggest T6 in 15W-40. When properly maintained, any decent oil will be AOK. That's my tale & I'm sittin' on it.
if you store your vehicle for months at a time, suggest performing oil & filter change immediately prior to storage.
-add-
Latest T6 formulation 5W-40 CK4: Zn=1199, P=1024, TBN=8.0
Also, take a short trip every two weeks to get the oil hot and aggressively boil off any moisture that gets in the crankcase.
Last edited by Yadkin; Jan 14, 2020 at 08:32 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Bay Florida
Works in my '78 L-82 flat tappet, but I have switched over to Amsoil Z-Rod 10W-30. I don't need to worry about contaminating my cats 'cause they're GONE!!
Last edited by pacecar620; Jan 14, 2020 at 10:56 AM.
