LS4 Oil Capacity

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Jul 18, 2020 | 11:23 AM

vetteman454

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From: Rochester Hills MI

LS4 Oil Capacity

Anybody know the correct oil fill amount for stock LS4 engine with filter change? I'm seeing conflicting numbers between owner manual (6 quarts) and Motors Repair Manual (5 quarts). 5 quarts hits the full mark on dipstick. Motors manual shows 6 quarts from 1970 thru 1973 then reduces to 5 quarts for 1974 for some reason. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks.

Jul 18, 2020 | 11:29 AM

ClothSeats

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From: Northern Wisconsin

I guess if you can't find a definitive answer, just put 5 quarts in and run it for a while, then check oil level again after it sits for a while. If it turns out that you need to add a quart, it wouldn't have hurt it to run one quart low for a while.

Jul 18, 2020 | 12:12 PM

71chimera

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OP
Seems LS4 was available in C3 only two years; 1973 & 1974.
why not clarify & tell us what year YOUR C3 is??, rather than what year non-GM references you've looked at ?

Jul 18, 2020 | 12:27 PM

MelWff

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Based on a prior post, the OP has a 74.

Last edited by MelWff; Jul 18, 2020 at 03:00 PM.

Jul 18, 2020 | 12:57 PM

71chimera

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both same: about 6 qt Total

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...t-Corvette.pdf
1973 page 48 5qt in pan plus about 1 qt in filter
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...t-Corvette.pdf
1974 page 68 5qt in pan plus about 1 qt in filter

variables are size of filter & if pan / dipstick has been changed since OE

Jul 19, 2020 | 09:27 AM

vetteman454

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From: Rochester Hills MI

My car is a '74. I've run it for the last 8 years with 5 quarts with no issues. I had always changed the oil myself. I recently took it into a shop to have some work done including an oil change. Checked the oil level when I got home and found it a quart or so above the full mark. Asked the shop about it and the insisted it should take 6 quarts which turns out to agree with GM info. Thanks 71chimera for info. Thanks for all replies.

So the car must have an incorrect dipstick. Maybe a stick for a 350?

Jul 19, 2020 | 12:01 PM

71chimera

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After having routinely done a job myself, I've seldom been satisfied w/ someone else's result. But, shop is right this time; it happens.

Most sbc/BBC can run just fine AOK 1 qt low; that's usually plenty and it reduces aeration & windage. But
But too much overfill is another matter. Entrained air is compressible and aeration can/will starve bearings & lifters of oil.

Perhaps, next O&F change, You install 6 qt Total and You grind an appropriate mark on stick after it's run & settled ?

very good filter widely available WIX 51060
https://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/PartDetails.aspx?Part=230356

Jul 19, 2020 | 05:49 PM

vetteman454

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From: Rochester Hills MI

I guess the main thing is to run the recommended oil quantity. Suppliers all sell the same oil pan, dipstick and dipstick tube for 70-74 big blocks. Recommended oil fill for all 70-74 big blocks is 6 quarts. I find it hard to believe GM would produce a vehicle in which the proper oil fill would put the oil level above the fill mark on the dipstick. That would cause so much confusion for the customer and repair shops.

I did some research on the dipstick and dipstick tube and they both seem to be correct in my car. The oil pan seems to be stock. Maybe I'm missing something. I'll run it with 6 quarts just to be safe. Seems like others would have encountered this issue.

Thanks

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Jul 19, 2020 | 08:32 PM

71 Green 454

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On page 77 of my 1971 owner's manual, it states 4 qts. for oil change only, and 5 qts. for oil and filter change. My original BB dipstick has always shown full when I put in 5 qts.

Jul 19, 2020 | 08:45 PM

#10

MelWff

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 71chimera

if you look on PDF page 17 of the 74 document, it shows 4 quarts plus 1 for filter contradicting what it shows on page 68.

Jul 20, 2020 | 07:08 AM

#11

vetteman454

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From: Rochester Hills MI

Page 16 of the '73 document also has 5 qt with filter change.

Jul 20, 2020 | 01:38 PM

#12

71chimera

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take into consideration the context of the info

the entire doc is NOT specific to vette

the p 16 & 17 refs are across the broad chevy line

the p 48 & 68 refs are specific to vette.

? Ya know of any vette delivered w/ 400 motor, or a 6 cylinder C3 for that matter ? that's in those Non-specific capacities.

Last edited by 71chimera; Jul 20, 2020 at 01:42 PM.

Jul 20, 2020 | 01:59 PM

#13

71chimera

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 71 Green 454

On page 77 of my 1971 owner's manual, it states 4 qts. for oil change only, and 5 qts. for oil and filter change. My original BB dipstick has always shown full when I put in 5 qts.

I don't doubt you or your reference; not at all

although 1971 p 15 vs p 126: 5 versus 5.5
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...t-Corvette.pdf

perhaps Helms printed whatever GM submitted ? dunno ?