Oil for 1970 Chevelle SS BB396?

[Dino01]

The synthetic oil in a classic car thread got me thinking... My dad has a nice 1970 Chevelle SS with the big block 396 engine, it's been rebuilt about 10 years ago and has a bit oh head work, some carb work, and a little bit hotter cam (among other things like long-tube headers and such), so it's around 500hp according to the shop that dyno tuned it a few years back.

In any case, I suggested to him to run Mobil 1 15w50 since he changes it once a year in April-May for the "driving season." What does BITOG say? HDEO like Delo 15w40 or maybe Rotella T6? Or stay the course with M1?

It does some some fuel dilution issues and runs a bit rich due to the tuning,

Thanks.

 

[turtlevette]

Those diesel oils you speak of are lower tier. Why would you want to do that?

 

[abycat]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Those diesel oils you speak of are lower tier. Why would you want to do that?


delo and rotella are two of the best dual rated oils in the world. millions upon millions of miles have been driven with those oils in quite a few years. I would run either of those with extreme confidence. Now weight is another story.

 

[Inspecktor]

I would stick with the M1.

 

[Dino01]

Originally Posted By: abycat
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Those diesel oils you speak of are lower tier. Why would you want to do that?


delo and rotella are two of the best dual rated oils in the world. millions upon millions of miles have been driven with those oils in quite a few years. I would run either of those with extreme confidence. Now weight is another story.
I was thinking a HDEO for the zinc content in the older engine. The engine builder suggested anything heavier than 10w30 when it was built, but he said he usually ran 20w50, but with 20w50 he my dad was getting a lot of racket on cold starts, none with the 15w50.

Too many good oil choices these days.

 

[BrocLuno]

OK, so I build BBCs now and then. I usually build them like your dad did with a bit of everything to up the performance. The deal with flat tappet cams is that some of the lifters used in the last 15 years or so were not as hard (Rockwell) as originally intended.

I also am a contributor at Chevelles.com which is sort of the home of a lot of BBC builders. The flat tappet cam/lifter failures are well known over there and they have a lot of theories on why and what to do about it...

Saying all that, if Pop's BBC is running well and making no bad noises, has not changed idle, no popping or carb backfires at unusual times, your cam is doing fine

And speaks well for the Mobil 1 you have chosen

I run Delo400 in many of my builds, but it is not the ideal oil. Valvoline VR1 (silver bottle) is the most often recommended oil for flat tappets now days, and a very good oil. But, Mobil 1 is running number two in the classic hot rod crowd in Chevy engines. And it's a very well known and accepted premium oil.

Rotella T6 is also in the hunt, but I really think you have proven what works for your Dads car. I'd keep running the 15W-50 and cruise on. But, I'd be running the biggest premium filter I could get that fits. WIX or Baldwin (Napa Gold same as WIX). The larger surface area of the bigger media allows easier cold flow and it will trap nasties well for a year at a time.

You're doing good - keep on, keeping on

 

[ammolab]

VR-1 is available conventional or synthetic and 10w30 or 20W-30. If you want thicker or thinner than what is offered...make a mix.

I run 2qts of each weight in my BMW Bike.

 

[wtd]

I have a 1970 Monte Carlo with a 396 BB(not original engine). It's built to pretty much stock specs other than a Edelbrock intake and a Edelbrock Quadrajet carb. I run a conventional 10w40 in it with a zinc additive. I tried running a conventional 10w30 oil in after it was rebuilt but it ran lower oil pressure than I was comfortable with when it was hot.

Wayne

 

[Chris142]

That engine is a candidate for higher zddp

 

[Darren_L]

Originally Posted By: JEL01
My dad has a nice 1970 Chevelle SS with the big block 396 engine, it's been rebuilt about 10 years ago and has a bit oh head work, some carb work, and a little bit hotter cam (among other things like long-tube headers and such), so it's around 500hp according to the shop that dyno tuned it a few years back.

Thanks.


Is the "Hotter cam" a flat tappet or a roller cam?

 

[beanoil]

I vote Mobil 1 15w50, as you suggested. Mobil 1 filter too.

 

[umungus1122]

Mobil 1 10w-40 HM

 

[novadude]

Originally Posted By: umungus1122
Mobil 1 10w-40 HM


Agree - or maybe even Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30. I can't see any reason to run a 50wt in a BBC unless the motor is very worn out.

 

[FCD]

I'd run a HD 15w40

 

[Click]

Consider AMSOIL's Zrod oil in sae 10-30 or sae 20-50
Plenty of ZDDP, no additive needed.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/mo.../?code=ZRTQT-EA

 

[Nickdfresh]

Originally Posted By: umungus1122
Mobil 1 10w-40 HM


I'd go this...

 

[bigt61]

Mobil 1 15W-50 - it works, it's not complicated, it's available at Walmart. I've used it with success in expensive SBC road race engines.

 

[901Memphis]

I was going to recommend Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40 also.

 

[CT8]

Mobil 1 15w-50.

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: CT8
Mobil 1 15w-50.


My local Walmart sells that in jugs, too bad I can't think of anything to use it for.