I have some engine/valve train pics for your viewing pleasure. Truck is my 94 Chevrolet K1500 1/2 ton 4x4, 5.7l, 350 TBI engine. I suspected an intake manifold gasket leak and decided to dive into it along with a few other things that include: valve cover gaskets, PCV, water pump, coolant flush, radiator hoses, spark plugs, etc.
I bought the truck about 10 years ago with 98,000 miles from original owner. He said he always used Pennzoil 10w30 conventional. So I continued to do the same with a WIX filter every 3-5,000 miles until about 180K miles then it saw whatever I felt like putting in there Pennzoil conventional, Valvoline, Castrol what ever was cheap and caught my eye I guess. It has only seen synthetic maybe 2-4 times. I changed the oil after doing all the work and used Delo 400 15w40, it seemed to run very good and will probably be it's new oil from here on out. This engine has approx. 240,000 miles with nothing but oil changes, tune ups, a starter or alternator here and there, etc. Engine runs perfect with no smoke, gets 17+mpg hwy, 13 mpg city, and about 11 mpg loaded and towing a boat about ~4-5,000 pounds total weight.
Pretty much zero sludge with a conservative OCI and good maintenance. Also, this is a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft motor. Not a roller motor.
I bought the truck about 10 years ago with 98,000 miles from original owner. He said he always used Pennzoil 10w30 conventional. So I continued to do the same with a WIX filter every 3-5,000 miles until about 180K miles then it saw whatever I felt like putting in there Pennzoil conventional, Valvoline, Castrol what ever was cheap and caught my eye I guess. It has only seen synthetic maybe 2-4 times. I changed the oil after doing all the work and used Delo 400 15w40, it seemed to run very good and will probably be it's new oil from here on out. This engine has approx. 240,000 miles with nothing but oil changes, tune ups, a starter or alternator here and there, etc. Engine runs perfect with no smoke, gets 17+mpg hwy, 13 mpg city, and about 11 mpg loaded and towing a boat about ~4-5,000 pounds total weight.
Pretty much zero sludge with a conservative OCI and good maintenance. Also, this is a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft motor. Not a roller motor.
