06MS6

Hey everyone,

I've been searching around the internet but can't seem to find which oil would best suit my 1978 Corvette Pace Car with the L82 automatic. It has 20,000 miles on it and has been sitting for quite some time. The oil hasn't been changed in years (I probably shouldn't be driving it much). I only put about 30 miles a year on it just so I can keep it running.

I've found that it uses 10w40. Is this what you guys recommend? Any certain brand? Synthetic or not?

Thanks!

Marlin

Hahahaha... in before the oil fights start.


But I would try Rotello 5w40 first. Good oil you can get at wally world and has a good amount of ZDDP.


But other than the ZDDP there is not a hugh differance between one oil or another today (if it meets most current specs). I use what ever is onsale and when I was a tech I never saw an engine fail due to the name of oil, only lack of filling it up and also changing it.

06MS6

I use Rotella in my Mazda and I've also been reading that's what people are using in their C3's.

I'm getting sooo many mixed reviews it's not even funny! I plan to just drive the car in the summer months, and maybe take it out once or twice in the winter, when there's no snow of course.

Jedi926

Check out the thread in C3 General about Oil weight. Most guys leaned towards 10w40, I just did an oil change and used 5w30. Zinc is for the extra protection apparently, due to it's better "sticking" (correct me if I'm wrong here guys) ability. Another thing to take under consideration is putting oil in that may not be friendly to the Cat converter.

You definitely need to get something fresh in there though stat. Checkout the thread though, good info from other forum members.

06MS6

Thanks for your input guys. I think I'm going to go with 10w30. Do you guys recommend synthetic?

Also, should I change other fluids, such as transmission?

Jud Chapin

I personally go with Mobil 1 synthetic for the engine. And yes, I would change all fluids, including tranny, brake, coolant, power steering, and the rear differential. Your owners manual will tell you what fluids to use.

Mike Ward

Gee- if only there was sticky on this subject.

MelWff

did you read this?

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ppet-oils.html

63mako

Lots of opinions on this. Check the oil sticky at the top of the page. If your asking for opinions I would not run diesel oil in it, It has a different additive package in it than gasoline oils, I would not use any additives and I would run synthetic for many reasons too numerous to detail here with adequate ZDDP. Mobil 1 10W-30 has under 800 PPM ZDDP and is not going to protect your flat tappet cam long term.This gives you about 3 choices. Joe Gibbs Synthetic hot rod oil 10W-30. Amsoil AMO 10W-40 and Amsoil Z-Rod 10W-30. Subdriver is a forum member and supporting vendor here and will sell you Amsoil at wholesale prices. I would recommend the Z-rod 10W-30.

Paul L

There should be an automatic regurgitate mode/function on the Forum.

MelWff

Also known as SEARCH

mds3013

I use Joe Gibbs 10w-30 Hot Rod in mine. Verified ZDDP, available in synthetic also. I may switch to synthetic since I have replaced every gasket in mine. The online "speed shops" carry it. mike...

MikeKey

Amsoil Z-Rod 10W-40 is what I just used with a WIX Filter. Love it. Oil pressure is nice and steady!

Paul L

No, when this question is asked (and others) it should automatically bring up the last 50 threads on the same subject. That is not search.

jordan89

Lots of good info on that sticky. I just Read a similar question over on the LS1 forum and posted a link to the sticky, I know they are roller engines(ls1), but there is lots of great info there that can be used to make your decision.

pleasants9

a second note, drive the car more. 30 miles a year?

jb78L-82

I have been running Mobil 1 since 1986 in my 78 L-82 4 speed and currently use ONLY 15W-50 Mobil 1 since it is the only Mobil1 synthetic oil with the correct amount of ZDDP-1,200/1,300 PPM. With the few exceptions noted above and the aforementioned sticky on oils, most mass market oils-5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 etc and diesel oils do not have the correct amount of ZDDP to protect your flat tappet cammed engine. You need to make sure that whatever oil you use, conventional or synthetic, that you have some form of verification on the amount of ZDDP since the EPA mandated few years ago that mass market engine oils have reduced ZDDP to help prevent catalytic converter failures. Specialty oils like Mobil1 15W-50/Amsoil etc get an exemption from the rule since they are for "racing, flat tappet cams, etc". Diesel oils are NOT exempt from the EPA mandate.

06MS6

I know there are plenty of threads on this subject, and I did so some searching before and after I posted this.

Anyway, I ended up going with Rotella 10w30. Seems pretty good so far!

Thanks.

63mako

That is what everyone thinks until they wipe a lobe. Speaking from experience. Wiped a lobe in my 302 in 2006 on Rotella 15W-40.

C66 Racing

Thanks for the mention.

Not weighing in on the debate, but for those that opt for the products 63mako mentions:
AMSOIL Z-ROD 10w30 Synthetic Motor Oil (Product Code ZRTQT)
(zinc – 1440 ppm, phosphorus 1320 ppm)
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic Premium Protection 10w40 (Product Code AMOQT)
(zinc – 1378 ppm, phosphorus 1265 ppm)

... I’m more than happy get it for forum members at dealer wholesale prices, about 25% below retail, via the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program. Drop me a PM if interested.