Oil for a 1966 Chevelle 454

[advocate]

My brother has a '66 Chevelle SS with a 454 that came out of a '73 Suburban. It has a mild cam and the heads have been freshened up at one point. Not too much more is known about the engine. He has bees using various 10w30's over the past few years.

What would be the best oil type and grad to use in this car? It's a summer only machine and is stored all winter in a heated garage.

Thanks in advance.

 

[addyguy]

HDEO 15W-40, whatever he can get on sale.

 

[440Magnum]

If it were my baby, I's use either Rotella T6 5w40, M1 0w40, or possibly one of the Redline products.

 

[dave1251]

10W-30 HDEO of your choice.

 

[volk06]

DELO 15w-40 or syn 5w-40

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Some Q's:

"Summer only machine" meaning?

Engine: Whats the cam lift. Is it Solid or hyd, roller or flat tappets? Are the piston Cast Al eutectic or forged? Chrome or Moly/iron rings? Rod bearing meaured clearance? Visited Redline? Current Oil pressure at hot idle after a hard run? Compression? Gasoline or alcohol? 4 gear or Auto trans?

 

[fxrider]

The best for that is Valvoline VR1 20W50 dino oil.

 

[wag123]

Rotella T6 5w40 and 1/2 bottle (2oz) ZDDP additive would be my personal recommendation. With any other oil he should use a full bottle (4oz) of ZDDP additive.

 

[Chris142]

Those 70's Big Block Chevies ate cams. Definatly use a High ZDDP oil or an addative in that one.

 

[Astro14]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
HDEO 15W-40, whatever he can get on sale.


Yep - just like my Packard (even though the Packard's straight eight has a roller cam, I still go with the HDEO...and I note that it took Chevy 60 years to catch up to Packard in engineering...sigh...).

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
Originally Posted By: addyguy
HDEO 15W-40, whatever he can get on sale.


Yep - just like my Packard (even though the Packard's straight eight has a roller cam, I still go with the HDEO...and I note that it took Chevy 60 years to catch up to Packard in engineering...sigh...).


Some would say that Ford, GM, AMC, Hudson, Willys, and Chrysler never really flew in the same skies as Packard, Pierce-Arrow, Duesenberg, etc. Too bad the company ended the way it did in the 50s after the merger with Studebaker. :-(

 

[NHHEMI]

I would run Royal Purple HPS or XPR. Also would look at Brad Penn.

 

[isercastik]

I like delo either 15 40 or straight 30

 

[advocate]

Thanks for tr input so far!

More on the car - it has 4.10 gears with a 28" tall tire spun by a th350 trans. So more of an 1/8th mile setup but it is mainly driven on the street. It's a fairly low rpm engine. It may see a max of 5000 rpm when driven on pump 91 octane. As far as we know it is a hydraulic setup but I don't know for sure. Not too sure on what sort of oil pressure he is seeking but I can find out.

 

[Sonataman]

Originally Posted By: isercastik
I like delo either 15 40 or straight 30


+1 on the Delo 30