what oil to run.
obviously make sure you use engine assembly lube. I ran 4 quarts of reg oil and 1 quart of a high zinc oil, like valvoline VR-1. After around 500 miles I ran mobil clean 5000 or whatever its being called these days. Just the conventional 5000 mile oil. I would change it out around 3000-3500. do it in all my cars.
I am sure there are people who are far more religious then me when it comes to this. But you should use a break in/high zinc oil, and you definitely need to change it out shortly after. Doesn't hurt to change the filter between oil changes either.
I am sure there are people who are far more religious then me when it comes to this. But you should use a break in/high zinc oil, and you definitely need to change it out shortly after. Doesn't hurt to change the filter between oil changes either.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
You don't need to break in a cam....this isn't the 70's anymore.
Just use whatever but don't cheap out. I prefer Castrol GTX, i've always used it in everything I drive. Cheap oil will kill a motor. I've seen multiple SBCs that had bad maintenance schedules and used cheap oil and the inside of those motors was terrible. And who the hell doesn't change there oil filter every oil change? Thats dumb to me but to each there own. It's an extra $4...
Just use whatever but don't cheap out. I prefer Castrol GTX, i've always used it in everything I drive. Cheap oil will kill a motor. I've seen multiple SBCs that had bad maintenance schedules and used cheap oil and the inside of those motors was terrible. And who the hell doesn't change there oil filter every oil change? Thats dumb to me but to each there own. It's an extra $4...
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Valvoline VR1 10w30 is really good oil and you can usually pick it locally.
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12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County, Pa.
All of this for ~$5.00/quart in the jugs at Wallys, or on sale by the quart at the other places.
It is one of the world's best oils as far as meeting the very highest, demanding, manufacturers' specs.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,631
Likes: 2,557
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Either way, nobody sells 10w30 VR1 in my area. You can get 20w50, and usually straight 30-40-50, but never 10w30 (who buys straight 50 weight in Chicago, at ANY time of year?!). I always order the 10w30 (VV205) online.
Last edited by RPM WS6; Nov 21, 2013 at 11:07 PM.
Any oil will work. These are normal, every day engines.....absolutely NOTHING exotic or special about them.
Buy the cheapest one off the shelf. I personally used 20w50 Castrol GTX cheap conventional oil.......173,000 miles out of a fully built 427ci stroker, beating the **** out of it for 10+ years as my daily driver. It saw top speed runs every week for its whole life.
My new fully forged 390ci is only getting conventional 20w50 Valvoline.......oil changes at 3,000.
Nothing else can be done to protect an engine better. Well, except more frequent changes........lol
.......I might start using 4.5 quarts of regular 20w50 Valvoline and 1 art of VR1 Racing Valvoline......for some zinc. But I'll probably skip that too, it just doesn't need it.
.
Buy the cheapest one off the shelf. I personally used 20w50 Castrol GTX cheap conventional oil.......173,000 miles out of a fully built 427ci stroker, beating the **** out of it for 10+ years as my daily driver. It saw top speed runs every week for its whole life.
My new fully forged 390ci is only getting conventional 20w50 Valvoline.......oil changes at 3,000.
Nothing else can be done to protect an engine better. Well, except more frequent changes........lol
.......I might start using 4.5 quarts of regular 20w50 Valvoline and 1 art of VR1 Racing Valvoline......for some zinc. But I'll probably skip that too, it just doesn't need it.
.
I used to use M1 0-40 but have not been able to find it for the last 4 years. Started using M1 10-40 a few years ago. Short block has 261,000 miles on it and still strong. No oil consumption. Oil and filter changed at 5,000 mile intervals its whole life.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: SE Indiana
In my area, they always have it in stock at the local parts stores
Any oil will work. These are normal, every day engines.....absolutely NOTHING exotic or special about them.
Buy the cheapest one off the shelf. I personally used 20w50 Castrol GTX cheap conventional oil.......173,000 miles out of a fully built 427ci stroker, beating the **** out of it for 10+ years as my daily driver. It saw top speed runs every week for its whole life.
My new fully forged 390ci is only getting conventional 20w50 Valvoline.......oil changes at 3,000.
Nothing else can be done to protect an engine better. Well, except more frequent changes........lol
.......I might start using 4.5 quarts of regular 20w50 Valvoline and 1 art of VR1 Racing Valvoline......for some zinc. But I'll probably skip that too, it just doesn't need it.
.
Buy the cheapest one off the shelf. I personally used 20w50 Castrol GTX cheap conventional oil.......173,000 miles out of a fully built 427ci stroker, beating the **** out of it for 10+ years as my daily driver. It saw top speed runs every week for its whole life.
My new fully forged 390ci is only getting conventional 20w50 Valvoline.......oil changes at 3,000.
Nothing else can be done to protect an engine better. Well, except more frequent changes........lol
.......I might start using 4.5 quarts of regular 20w50 Valvoline and 1 art of VR1 Racing Valvoline......for some zinc. But I'll probably skip that too, it just doesn't need it.
.
After seeing my first cam become pitted after installing if for 8k miles and new lifters, i have added the ZDDP Plus additive for the last 14k miles on the new one, same specs, and no pitting to date. Makes me feel all happy in the pants, so i use it.