Oil recommendation request

[Ashtray77]

Hi, I have a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am with an Oldsmobile 403 with around 77k original miles. I don't have the owners manual with me at the moment so i can't tell what the viscosity or other recommendations are.. I live in central Iowa where it's winter 5 months out of the year or so it seems, but I only drive it during the warmer months, 50f and above.. less than 1000 miles a year. usually i just cruise around town, I dont go too far away from home. the engine doesn't have any problems to my knowledge, but i get some valvtrain noise in the higher rpms when flooring it, which is pretty limited for this motor. I'd prefer to not have to change the oil every year, but I don't know if that is possible... Well, there you go, what are your recommendations? Thanks - Aaron

 

[Hermann]

You have a perfect car to start using High Mileage oil in. There are several good ones Pennzoil, Valvoline Maxlife, Castrol, Mobil 1 if you want a synthetic. Using one may prevent seals from weeping and they are generally more robust in the additive package that their standard brethren, for those long duration/low mile OCI's. Others will surely chime in with their thoughts. My guess is the the prefered grade is 5w-30.

P.S. change it right before you park it for the winter.

 

[Greggy_D]

Heck....I'd throw some Rotella in there.

 

[xxch4osxx]

I used 15w40 in a 1980 Camaro I used to have. Worked well for me. Maybe a 5w40 would work well for you.

 

[NHHEMI]

I would not run a newer SM type of oil in that vehicle. I would run a diesel oil or an SL oil with more ZDDP. Plenty of options for you out there from diesel oils as mentioned to oils like Brad Penn, Royal Purple, Redline, etc....

I would plan on changing the oil each year.

 

[CharBaby]

I have an 80 Firebird FORMULA(since new) and am using Valvoline MaxLife. I had a 74, 77 and a 79 and I think back then I used anything 10W30/40

 

[fraso]

I think the owner's manual for your TransAm will probably be very similar to the one for my Parisienne:

1977 Pontiac Oil Recommendations

 

[Ashtray77]

Thanks for all of the input.. Right now I am thinking of using valvoline maxlife semi-synthetic 10w-30 with about a 1/4 bottle of redline break in oil treatment to make up for the recent decline of zddp in oil.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Maxlife would be a great choice. Don't know anything about the additive you mentioned.

 

[daman]

Great cars had one the ol 403 olds was a tank,no power stock but ran dang good.

run some M1HM 5,10/30 it's API SL has boosted 1000ppm zinc,phos plenty for that ol girl and keep it clean inside at the same time.