There is a 5W-50 which will be pumpable down to about -30 or so.
I'll think on it. It does get colder than that often during winter here. Can just run a winter oil and summer oil though.There is a 5W-50 which will be pumpable down to about -30 or so.
It’s a poor design that has plagued owners since the inception. The crankcase gases being pushed into the bottom of the intake created a direct path to oil consumption from day one. There are modifications discussed on the Silverado forums that eliminate that oil access port to include adding a conventional top of the valve cover PCV system. Supposedly that greatly reduces oil consumption. It’s a shame you had the intake off already. Read up. The discussions are endless. Heck, I’d try creating just an open breather before doing anything else. Allowing the crankcase to vent easily would most like eliminate the pressure enough that it no longer pushes oil into the tube in the intake plenum.I have decided to go backwards. My 2002 8.1L keeps eating oil even after putting in updated intake gaskets, and I am going to try conventional Valvoline. After talking to my father, older and wiser than me, he had a few examples of a few of his vehicles that consumed synthetic/semi-synthetic oil, but eventually took none when he switched to conventional. Only thing I can think of is it is dirtier and maybe accumulates at the top of the pistons reducing blowby.
I'm down, this engine was developed before synthetic oils were common and I am sick of adding oil. The intake gasket reduced it some, but I figured it won't hurt anything. I change oil at 3k. Anyone else ever have this result with old fashioned conventional?
I thought about modifying the intake when it was off. Probably should have. Not a lot of room on the valve cover to add a breather. I saw on the smaller vortecs there are upgraded valve covers, but these big blocks aren't that common. Good idea though, thank you.It’s a poor design that has plagued owners since the inception. The crankcase gases being pushed into the bottom of the intake created a direct path to oil consumption from day one. There are modifications discussed on the Silverado forums that eliminate that oil access port to include adding a conventional top of the valve cover PCV system. Supposedly that greatly reduces oil consumption. It’s a shame you had the intake off already. Read up. The discussions are endless. Heck, I’d try creating just an open breather before doing anything else. Allowing the crankcase to vent easily would most like eliminate the pressure enough that it no longer pushes oil into the tube in the intake plenum.
I use high mileage now. Max life 10w30If you were in central Texas I'd give you a good deal on some true conventional Pennzoil from my stash that I may never use. Have you tried High Mileage oil? I've had some success with it in the past.
Could try an oil like delvac 1 5w40 year roundI'll think on it. It does get colder than that often during winter here. Can just run a winter oil and summer oil though.
For a big block my mileage isn't too bad. I am usually in the 12-13 mpg range. If pulling, 10. Good engine, just a few issues the engineers could have probably fixed easily by a traditional PCV valve system. Mine is in an Avalanche, only bad thing about that is they didn't come with the Allison transmission like the trucks didYeah those 8.1's were not around for very long, they pull like a freight train but were gas guzzlers and serious oil burners. If you can get past those two issues the engine itself is fairly reliable. I'd be running a HDEO something dual rated 10w30 or 5w40 or you could look into the euro oils like M1 0w40 or PP Euro L 5w30.
I think the problem was so well known that GM dropped it, they were very common in the large UHaul trucks.
Chevron supreme 10w30 might still be real full conventional. Not 4 sure if it still is but it was not long ago I know.I have decided to go backwards. My 2002 8.1L keeps eating oil even after putting in updated intake gaskets, and I am going to try conventional Valvoline. After talking to my father, older and wiser than me, he had a few examples of a few of his vehicles that consumed synthetic/semi-synthetic oil, but eventually took none when he switched to conventional. Only thing I can think of is it is dirtier and maybe accumulates at the top of the pistons reducing blowby.
I'm down, this engine was developed before synthetic oils were common and I am sick of adding oil. The intake gasket reduced it some, but I figured it won't hurt anything. I change oil at 3k. Anyone else ever have this result with old fashioned conventional?
There are some BBC valve covers on eBay (breathers) …It’s a poor design that has plagued owners since the inception. The crankcase gases being pushed into the bottom of the intake created a direct path to oil consumption from day one. There are modifications discussed on the Silverado forums that eliminate that oil access port to include adding a conventional top of the valve cover PCV system. Supposedly that greatly reduces oil consumption. It’s a shame you had the intake off already. Read up. The discussions are endless. Heck, I’d try creating just an open breather before doing anything else. Allowing the crankcase to vent easily would most like eliminate the pressure enough that it no longer pushes oil into the tube in the intake plenum.