I have an original 1965 Chevelle with 26,000 miles. Should I just use a conventional motor oil?

[PimTac]

Also, what's the knob above "LIGHTS" on the leftmost?

Wipers.

 

[Brian123]

It was my dad's car. He bought the car brand new 6-5-1965 in Iowa. I lost my dad in March of 2021

I am sorry for your Dad's Passing, this car is very special to you and your family. I would be more concerned about the gas instead of the oil. I do not know if you are driving this car or it is sitting. I would fill this thing up with VP Racing 109 and start it up every now and then.

 

[PontiacHO]

Beautiful Chevelle that holds a lot of special significance I’m sure. I’ve owned a 1964, 1967, and 1970 Chevelle. The 67 was a big block 4 speed car. Loved them all though. Don’t ever sell it without letting me know please!!

 

[Kmart3906]

I am sorry for your Dad's Passing, this car is very special to you and your family. I would be more concerned about the gas instead of the oil. I do not know if you are driving this car or it is sitting. I would fill this thing up with VP Racing 109 and start it up every now and then.

My dad always put racing fuel in it, mainly so the fuel wouldn't breakdown over time. It has sat almost all of it's life. That's going to change, I'm going to take it to shows and put a few hundred miles on it a year

 

[THORROMIG]

Thanks for sharing, I am sure your Dad is at peace knowing your looking out for it with best intentions. Welcome aboard also!!!

 

[addyguy]

Wow, nice car…bench seat, 4-speed, V-8…yeah!
That high-revving V-8 needs viscosity and zinc…VR1 20W-50 or the Castrol Classic 20W-50 for sure!

 

[weaponoffreedom]

Should I use just a conventional motor oil?

No you should sell it to me.

My vote would be for a high zinc content high shear oil like Valvoline Extreme Blue 5w40 synthetic.

 

[weaponoffreedom]

I think we're being trolled. For someone with a 58 year old car that has just 26K miles sounds a bit suspect. Coupled with such a "generic" first question and generic first reply....

To the OP; how about a picture of your Chevelle, its history, and at least some kind of introduction of yourself. Three of four decent sized paragraphs and a half dozen pictures would be a good start.

Scott

I am sure that if he is lying, he will now tell the truth.

 

[Astro14]

It was my dad's car. He bought the car brand new 6-5-1965 in Iowa. I lost my dad in March of 2021

I’m sorry for your loss, and understand why you would want the best oil for the car.

That Castrol recommendation was good. AMSOIL makes a hot rod oil designed for flat tappet engines as well.

 

[DerFahrer]

I would consider non synthetic Valvoline 10w40 motorcycle oil. $8 a quart at Walmart. High ZDDP should work good for you. Frankly it really doesn't matter what you use conventional or synthetic, the cork gaskets will probably start to leak. Especially around the intake manifold on your timing cover. SBC Chevys were notorious for this with cork gaskets . So good luck... And I wouldn't use synthetic oil, because it could create havoc with the rear main. That is.. assuming that the synthetic oil causing seal leaks is true. Frankly, I'm not sure that it is, but error on the side of caution.

 

[RazorsEdge]

I think we're being trolled. For someone with a 58 year old car that has just 26K miles sounds a bit suspect. Coupled with such a "generic" first question and generic first reply....

To the OP; how about a picture of your Chevelle, its history, and at least some kind of introduction of yourself. Three of four decent sized paragraphs and a half dozen pictures would be a good start.

Scott

Not around the classic car world long I take it. Considering there are many older cars that are in storage for long periods of time.

 

[kschachn]

I would consider non synthetic Valvoline 10w40 motorcycle oil. $8 a quart at Walmart. High ZDDP should work good for you. Frankly it really doesn't matter what you use conventional or synthetic, the cork gaskets will probably start to leak. Especially around the intake manifold on your timing cover. SBC Chevys were notorious for this with cork gaskets . So good luck... And I wouldn't use synthetic oil, because it could create havoc with the rear main. That is.. assuming that the synthetic oil causing seal leaks is true. Frankly, I'm not sure that it is, but error on the side of caution.

How?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Should I use just a conventional motor oil?

Quicksilver marine would be good if you are going to give her the crop now and then, Otherwise for tooling around, a good 10W30 "conventional" and keep her under 4000 rpms. Some younger guys may forget these cars have full skirted pistons and only about 0.0013 running clearance on the plain bearings. Nice engine, nicely optioned.

I just finished helping a buddy get a garagefind 1955 pickup going with a (later) 283 2bbl SBC and the truck 4 speed. It was parked for 20 years. No rust anywhere. That '55 truck is a pretty crude driver compared to early and mid Sixties A and B body sedans.

Drive that car more, they are nice cars!

- Ken

 

[DGXR]

OMG that thing is gorgeous. Thank you for posting the pictures.
Very sorry about your dad. My dad is currently dying of cancer.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Quicksilver marine would be good if you are going to give her the crop now and then, Otherwise for tooling around, a good 10W30 "conventional" and keep her under 4000 rpms. Some younger guys may forget these cars have full skirted pistons and only about 0.0013 running clearance on the plain bearings. Nice engine, nicely optioned.

I just finished helping a buddy get a garagefind 1955 pickup going with a (later) 283 2bbl SBC and the truck 4 speed. It was parked for 20 years. No rust anywhere. That '55 truck is a pretty crude driver compared to early and mid Sixties A and B body sedans.

Drive that car more, they are nice cars!

- Ken

 

[PontiacHO]

probably been said already but Castrol Classic 10w30 would be an excellent choice.

 

[drtyler]

probably been said already but Castrol Classic 10w30 would be an excellent choice.

Where does one find Castrol Classic 10W-30? Please share a link if it is online.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

Where does one find Castrol Classic 10W-30? Please share a link if it is online.

Walmart carries it.

 

[drtyler]

Walmart carries it.

In 10W-30? I have only seen Castrol GTX Classic 20W-50.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

WalMart has it , 10w-30 GTX Classic Conventional listed but I would bet you would have to order it. Lately there have been things that show up that they have but we can only get thru online orders. What is strange is how they don't have it and then it shows up at the store for pick up so fast like in 1-2 days at most.