WHATS THE BEST WEIGHT OIL TO USE IN THE 350 CHEVY ENG. ENG. ??????? 1971 CAMARO
OIL FILTER # ????
CAR IS DRIVEN ONLY IN SUMMER TIME. (CHICAGO)

I'm using Castrol GTX 20-50 in my '71 with no problems. It's priced right. Keep an eye on Meijer's if you have one in your area. I am going to switch to Mobil 1 after my rebuild per my engine builders suggestion.
As for the filter, any good filter. Car Quest, K&N makes a good filter.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3533/keyboard45cj.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

I use either Valvoline or Mobil 1 10W40 on my '80. Found the thicker racing oils tend to bend stuff and create sludge in the engine. I only use AC Delco oil filters.

Jim
'80 Berlinetta


[This message has been edited by 80Camaroman (edited July 03, 2005).]

Carmakers pretty much unanimously agree that 5w-30 and 10w-30 are the best. Anything with larger numbers than that get the larger numbers by adding viscosity extenders to the oil. Viscosity extenders replace the oil, so that means less real lubrication per quart with the extenders.
Read the owners manual of your new fuel injected 4 and 6 bangers. On many models now 10w-40 or 20w-50 will void your engine warranty.

I agree with Gary S. Although I'm breaking it in on natural oil (10 w 30) and then switching to synthetic. I've had problems before "breaking in" with synthetic.

all gm cars come from teh factory with 10w30, all the dealers I worked at the only weights we stocked were 10w30(for gas engines) and 20w50 (for diesel engines)

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To err is human; but to really screw things up
requires a computer.


Give blood play hockey!

I almost forgot teh filter thing, wix makes a great filter (makes many of the otehr performance ones)

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To err is human; but to really screw things up
requires a computer.


Give blood play hockey!

Like many answers, that depends...

In really hot weather I used to run 20/50, 10/40 the rest of the year (both specified in the owner's manual), but only because I know that ring and bearing clearances were loose when I put it back together. The higher viscosity helped maintain better oil pressure.

Todays engines are built with tighter tolerances so they run thinner oils without problems (this also helps fuel economy). Running thinner oils in an older engine might possibly cause it to burn oil (or more oil than it does).

That said, for a good tight engine 5/30 or 10/30 should be fine--if you aren't sure, try it and watch your oil pressure on the real hot days, esp. at idle. If you don't like what you see switch to the next higher grade.

In years past, I always ran 20W50 Castro GT,Highway miles, high milage engines. The Vette and the Caddies use 10W30 and Mobile 1
In fact, the old 80Z ran 413,000 miles with Castro 20W50 and engine restore.

I may be totally old school, but here is a thought. Newer cars all have overdrive transmissions and are turning fairly low rpms (2000 or so) on the highway. An older car will be in the 3000 rpm range or so. I would think that oil is hotter in a higher revving V8, so a heavier weight is appropriate in warm weather. This is just an opinion, but manufacturers did not recommend 30 weights above 86F in the past.

All that being said, I don't think you would have any problems with any quality 10W30. I use a 15W40 in the summer, expecting to see ambient temperatures in the 90-100F range.

I use 10w-30 Mobil 1 synthetic. I used to use 20w-50, 10w-40.

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Mark D
1970 Z28
http://http://ca.geocities.com/mlvd@rogers.com/ (http://ca.geocities.com/mlvd@rogers.com/)
WTB: 70 SS396 Chevelle 4-spd, flapper hood car, no rag tops, 1-2 owner car.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by BILLYZEE:
WHATS THE BEST WEIGHT OIL TO USE IN THE 350 CHEVY ENG. ENG. ??????? 1971 CAMARO
OIL FILTER # ????
CAR IS DRIVEN ONLY IN SUMMER TIME. (CHICAGO) </font>

Straight 30wt oil. Excellent all around 40 degree F and above oil.

Thick enough to satisfy the 20w-50 folks and gentle enough for those cold mornings that the 10w-40 people think about.

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Pic of My Camaro Z28 (http://members.aol.com/justbugg/camaro.jpg)