57 Buick with a 364 Nailhead V8 question

[Francis]

Hi all, as some know I'm located in Australia an a Friend of mine has bought an original 57 Buick with a 364 Nailhead V8 from the States. It's a great engine, sounds very nice with no leaks, squeaks or rattles.

I'm trying to find out what type of oil would get mostly used in the USA with these style of engines. Or perhaps would anyone know what weight was used back in the 1960's with these engines?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Francis.

 

[Gene K]

Most of the guys here use a conventional HDEO (Read Diesel). Most of the modern PCMO (Read Gasoline) is a bit light on the add package to protect the old flat tappet cams. I would guess 15w40 conventional (non-synthetic) HDEO is available there as well.

 

[Johnny]

Back in 1957 Buick would have recommended SAE 30W for that car.

 

[lostwrench]

You won't find that. Try SAE 30

 

[G-MAN]

Quote:

---

You won't find that. Try SAE 30

---

That's what Johnny meant. He knows there was no such thing as a 30W oil.

 

[Johnny]

Actually in the day it would have been SAE 30HD

 

[Torino]

I had one of those new. The recommendation for summer (which is what you experience frequently) was 30 wt. That was a good engine. Max Balchowsky used to terrorize the sports car circuit with one of those---WAAAAY back when. Regards. John--Las Vegas.

 

[Steve S]

Quote:

---

Most of the guys here use a conventional HDEO (Read Diesel). Most of the modern PCMO (Read Gasoline) is a bit light on the add package to protect the old flat tappet cams. I would guess 15w40 conventional (non-synthetic) HDEO is available there as well.

---

Not really a diesel oil even though you run it in your truck .Diesel oil is the oil that is used in ships and has a different additive package etc than a hdeo.

 

[Leo]

Its very hard to find a 30wt HDEO here Down Under. I would recommend you use Delo 400 15W40 or Delvac MX 15W40 HDEOs. Should work well!

 

[Francis]

Funny most of the oil compines I have rang are telling me to use 25w 60's!

 

[Steelhead]

put in quality accurate oil pressure and oil temp gauges

start with the 15w40 first in your summer temps on a hot high speed trip. check idle oil pressure for more than 10 psi, oil temp at cruise below 250d F

those old Buick Dynaflows threw lots of transmission heat into the radiator and engine, dual turbine torque converter, lots of fluid slippage, cooks the engine and transmission oil

 

[williar]

My Dad had one of those ('57 Century, 300 HP). Used SAE 30, or, later, 10-30. Great engine, in its day. I wouldn't go any heavier than 15-40; 25-60 sounds rediculous!

 

[Francis]

THanks guy's.

Now another Reto question, if these engines were using 30 grade, then at what era and what typical engines was 20w 50's big in?

 

[1999nick]

My recollection from the 50's was that most cars used 20 weight oil, not 30 weight. I just checked a couple of owner's manuals from the 50's, and there was no mention of 30 weight. The recommendation for both of them was 20 weight above 32 degrees, and 10 weight below 32. My recollection is that we only used 30 weight motor oil when the engine began to burn a little oil. My 1954 Ford, which I had from new in 1954 to 140,000 miles in 1959, never had to be changed over to 30 weight.

 

[1999nick]

Quote:

---

THanks guy's.

Now another Reto question, if these engines were using 30 grade, then at what era and what typical engines was 20w 50's big in?

---

Following the single grade era, it was 10W30, and quickly, 10W40. When some cars began to have trouble with the viscosity index improvers required in the 10W40's of the day, it was back to 10W30, and then 5W30. I do not remember 20W50 ever being that popular in general automobile use. I did have a leased Volkswagen Jetta back in the middle 90's that had 2 years of free oil changes and the dealer used 20W50 in it.

 

[Francis]

I am just so baffeld because here in OZ we then to have always had 20w 50 is are main oil. Now with latter model stuff we use 10w30 oils but in any 6 or 8 cyl, evne the older 4 cyl they all get 20w 50s!

I'll get you some links to our two biggest selling oils and see what you think.

 

[Big Jim]

Quote:

---

My recollection from the 50's was that most cars used 20 weight oil, not 30 weight. I just checked a couple of owner's manuals from the 50's, and there was no mention of 30 weight. The recommendation for both of them was 20 weight above 32 degrees, and 10 weight below 32. My recollection is that we only used 30 weight motor oil when the engine began to burn a little oil. My 1954 Ford, which I had from new in 1954 to 140,000 miles in 1959, never had to be changed over to 30 weight.

---

That is my recollection as well. My service adviser neighbor from that era told me that the bulk oil in his Chevrolet store was 20W20SAE. He further expressed his opinion that 30SAE actually allowed wear rather than providing additional protection.

He told me of a customer that always asked for 30 non detergent. It always got 20. When the car was eight years old, she traded it in and he bought it. He knew it had been well cared for.

 

[wileyE]

People thought by non-detergent they were getting "pure" oil, none of that added funny stuff.

 

[G-MAN]

I read somewhere that Chrysler used 20w20 as the factory fill in all their engines up through the early 60s.