1985 Chevy Small Block 90,000 miles - Shopping

Pennzoil motor oil
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Drew1987

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Hello all,

I have a 1985 Chevy Small Block flat tappet motor in my 1950 chevy I have been using Brad Penn Classic Car Oil in. Its like 2,000 PPM Zinc. My source to get this for under $5 per qt just doubled the cost, and money is tight. I change the oil often because it gets dark fast and the thing leaks a good amount... once I've added a quart and it starts getting low, I just change it.

I want to get away from "classic car oil" for cost reasons. Certainly there is a diesel oil out there that will protect the cam on this thing, right? I am hoping for a $12 per 5qt bottle solution here...

Information is appreciate

thanks

Drew
 
Do you have high spring rates, or is it fairly stock? If it's fairly stock, I wouldn't worry much. Nonetheless, an HDEO in CJ-4/SM, or an HDEO in a 40 grade could help out. I don't know what your availability of Valvoline VR-1 10w30 is, but that's always another option to consider, and usually isn't too costly.
 
I was hoping for a very cheap option that I wont feel bad about because it lacks zinc. Its stock, 90,000 mile 350. So whatever diesel oil is on sale and is cj-4/sm? I use store-brand (WIX made) filters
 
If it's stock springs just go with a High Mileage oil like Maxlife, maybe 10w-40 for summer to slow the leak. The oil getting dark quickly doesn't mean it needs changing. You didn't mention your oil change interval, or driving style- short trips, towing, etc.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew1987
I was hoping for a very cheap option that I wont feel bad about because it lacks zinc. Its stock, 90,000 mile 350. So whatever diesel oil is on sale and is cj-4/sm? I use store-brand (WIX made) filters

If it's stock springs, that would be fine. Even ordinary Pennzoil Conventional 10w30 would do the trick, and then some. Those engines were hard on cams back then, no matter how much zinc was in the oil.
wink.gif
Given the cost of high zinc options, the savings by even a very few cheap oil changes can pay for a cam and set of lifters.
 
You don't need high zinc for that low performance '85 motor. SuperTech 10w30 HM at Walmart - save your money.
 
What is Pennzoil conventional?

As for supertec, I use it in my Honda. I have used it, synthetic that is, once in my Toyota. No complaints. I would like to put something a little bit more stout in the old small block though. Is there any concern with the extra detergents in diesel motor oil's?

I appreciate the responses gentleman
 
Pennzoil Conventional is Pennzoil conventional - Conventional oil
Now that all the bottles are yellow, it's kinda of an old reference.

Currently I'm running Delo 15W40 oil in my parents 1989 Chevy Suburban with the 350 TBI
no issues what so ever.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Drew1987
As for supertec, I use it in my Honda. I have used it, synthetic that is, once in my Toyota. No complaints. I would like to put something a little bit more stout in the old small block though.

Why? Your Honda is probably working harder than that 350 is.
 
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Originally Posted By: Drew1987
As for supertec, I use it in my Honda. I have used it, synthetic that is, once in my Toyota. No complaints. I would like to put something a little bit more stout in the old small block though.

Why? Your Honda is probably working harder than that 350 is.


EXACTLY! That 350 is a low stress application, easy on oil. The Honda is working much harder, and most likely has a higher average oil temp and has more piston travel distance. You want the stouter oil in the Honda. Put a High Mileage 5w30 to 10w-40 syn blend in that 350 and sleep well.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Drew1987
Hello all,

I have a 1985 Chevy Small Block flat tappet motor in my 1950 chevy I have been using Brad Penn Classic Car Oil in. Its like 2,000 PPM Zinc. My source to get this for under $5 per qt just doubled the cost, and money is tight. I change the oil often because it gets dark fast and the thing leaks a good amount... once I've added a quart and it starts getting low, I just change it.

I want to get away from "classic car oil" for cost reasons. Certainly there is a diesel oil out there that will protect the cam on this thing, right? I am hoping for a $12 per 5qt bottle solution here...

Information is appreciate

thanks

Drew


I would run a budget brand Diesel oil without question. Travelers from TSC or Super Tech from Wal-Mart would be well suited to your application for an affordable price. As indicated by others you don't need a classic car oil in a stock SBC.
 
Been running diesel engine oil in V8 Chevy motors and (and Fords) for something like 30 years now. Delo 400 15w40 is fine in that old motor. It will be quiet and smooth and run another 90K.

Your engine leaks. So you will be changing it on the road. Fix the leaks and just drive it
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
Been running diesel engine oil in V8 Chevy motors and (and Fords) for something like 30 years now. Delo 400 15w40 is fine in that old motor. It will be quiet and smooth and run another 90K.

Your engine leaks. So you will be changing it on the road. Fix the leaks and just drive it
smile.gif


Yeah but even the new CK-4 Delo only has 800ppm of Zddp whereas the old Delo had 1300+
 
Gents,

The Honda, as some of you man know, has cylinder deactivation which causes sparkplug fouling (been there, done that ) and consumption. While I am a "mechanic" that builds our pleasure cars from scratch, rebuilds (minus machining) vintage motors for fun, and maintains our daily cars, I am not to the level of confidently pulling and rebuilding that Honda motor. Maybe pulling and swapping but I think you must need a lift to get the van OVER the motor it doesn't look like it would fit out of the hood opening.

That said, I figured changes every 3k with watching the level closely will at least get me 175,000. At 100 now and considering an $80 widget to disable the cylinder shut down. I was assuming, being that the supertec has all the gum'ment stanps of approval (SN) that it's fine for 3k. Am I shamefully wrong? I was going to switch to my buddy's store brand anyway I can get a 15 gallon "box" for cheap. Same thing: SN






AS for the 1950's SBC, I think I'll do like supertec 15w40 desiel. As long as the detergents are not way too much. The leak is the rear main, and it's on my to-do list. I am going to make a removable transmission crossmember so it's easy to drop the th350 out. When it's out, I'll do that. Trans needs a seal too. Right now it's on the stock MANUAL crossmember. Impossible to get the trans out without pulling the motor. I know I can do the rear main without all the aforementioned but that's just my priority order. Goofy as always
 
Good plan. Yeah, as long as the rear main and the transmission need seals, do as planned.

The ZDDP limit down to 800 is OK with premium oils that have other anti-wear additives to help make up. It's also a stock SBC with valve springs you can just about depress with your thumb. A well broken in cam with Delphi lifters and low pressure springs will not be a problem with any good HDEO. Have fun and carry on
laugh.gif
 
Originally Posted By: FordCapriDriver
Yeah but even the new CK-4 Delo only has 800ppm of Zddp whereas the old Delo had 1300+

Only in ILSAC grades, but, beyond that, when these engines came out in the first place, there was no high zinc oil.
 
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