GM Carb'd 2.8 V6 Oil choice?

[Fifth87]

Man, you bought that in NH?
That is really clean, impressive!
I would think that Supertech 10w30 would suffice for your needs. I can't recall if GM specified 5 or 10w30 for their sixes in that era.
My 2.2L '95 Cutlass Ciera ran happily on ST 5w30 for 30k until I retired it.
Not sure if where that has non-roller lifters if a ZDDP additive would be needed to protect the cam, where newer oils have reduced levels compared to the '80s.

 

[BigShug681]

That car has lived through many storms, so it deserves nothing less than Amsoil SS and Amsoil filter!

Supertech will work fine, too.

At over $16 a qt for non PC members? It’s good but not that good

 

[tojo1968]

Bought this as a summer cruiser / daily.. mostly highway.
84 Skylark. 2.8 v6 with a carb. Runs nice. 130K or so.

Live in Massachusetts.

Last time I had something on the road with non roller lifters I was running Mobil 1 15w40, but that was over 10 years ago.

Owner's manual gives a 'range'View attachment 95533

I had a 84 Firebird and 88 S-10 with this motor. Both saw over 210k miles with zero oil issues using Castrol 5w30 GTX. Of course, this was during the 3k or 3 month OCI years..

 

[PontiacHO]

“Comfy and pleasant X body! I love the firing order on the GM 2.8 - if you can count from one to six you got it
I had a rip roaring Citation X-11 with the Carb'd V6, fiberglass hood and a 4 speed manual and .... a vertical radio (!)
Pretty quick pony for the day”

I recall replacing a lot of shift forks, diff carriers, clutch pedal ratchets, and clutch cables in those back in the day.

 

[zrxkawboy]

I agree with the recommendations for a HM oil.

 

[SteveG4]

Bought this as a summer cruiser / daily.. mostly highway.
84 Skylark. 2.8 v6 with a carb. Runs nice. 130K or so.

Live in Massachusetts.

Last time I had something on the road with non roller lifters I was running Mobil 1 15w40, but that was over 10 years ago.

Owner's manual gives a 'range'View attachment 95533

Gosh, that's clean! It actually looks great.

My father bought a similar early 80's Chevy Malibu with that engine. It was a gutless wonder.

Nevertheless, try a high-mileage 10w30 or even a dual-rated 15w40 (SN). Except winter, that Kirkland SN-rated 15w40 would be great for this.

 

[FCD]

I know somebody here in Spain who owns a Fiero with the 2.8, he runs Motul 300V 15W-50 in it, a little excessive perhaps but it purrs like a kitty.

 

[javacontour]

If it's made it this long, pretty much any 5W30 or 10W30 will serve you well. If you feel you have to fiddle, run a 10W40 in the summer and a 5W30 in the winter. Any oil with valid certifications will do you just fine

 

[Schandyman]

Bought this as a summer cruiser / daily.. mostly highway.
84 Skylark. 2.8 v6 with a carb. Runs nice. 130K or so.

Live in Massachusetts.

Last time I had something on the road with non roller lifters I was running Mobil 1 15w40, but that was over 10 years ago.

Owner's manual gives a 'range'View attachment 95533

Love it gorgeous ride! Ac delco filter. 10w30 or 40 of your choice.

 

[addyguy]

Gosh, that's clean! It actually looks great.

My father bought a similar early 80's Chevy Malibu with that engine. It was a gutless wonder.

Nevertheless, try a high-mileage 10w30 or even a dual-rated 15w40 (SN). Except winter, that Kirkland SN-rated 15w40 would be great for this.

The Malibu never came with the 2.8 engine; It had the 3.8 V-6.
The Citation had the 2.8.

 

[SteveG4]

The Malibu never came with the 2.8 engine; It had the 3.8 V-6.
The Citation had the 2.8.

It was a long time ago... probably right. Was a teen, and it was a dogged thang that could barely get out its own way. Drove the Citation in high school drivers ed ... same dogged situation. They were plainly awful.

My first new vehicle, a 1985 S-10 with an Iron Duke 4-cyl with 4 on the floor was okay. Bare bones, slow, but very reliable. It was great cheap transportation.

 

[I_4]

I had a 1986 Olds Cierra with the 2.8 carb motor. Was my dad's that he gave the family for my son to use. , , Never burned a drop of oil. Never leaked. Oil or antifreeze. Mechanically it was great. Ran 5w30 in winter and most of the time, 10w30 on occasion in the summer. A nice cruiser. The car went to the boneyard with terminal rust after 20 years. Over 200k. Always ran great on whatever brand of oil on sale. Long before I had heard of this oil site. Do not fret over oil choice. I would personally use what is on sale. Or Supertech.

 

[wlk]

10w30 QS HM. My Olds w 3.1l runs great on it