synthetic for 1987 Oldsmobile 307 this winter

[caprice_2nv]

This winter I'm going to be driving my newly purchased $300 1987 Chevy Caprice with the factory 307 Oldsmobile roller cam motor, with 4bbl carb. It has around 150k on it. Temps will go down to -25C. Car has a block heater but I don't know if it works and I probably won't bother to plug it in most times anyways, my previous 86 Caprice never had a problem starting without a block heater. I want the car to start no problem, but thats not usually an issue with these if the carb is set up right, I do have a pretty bad oil leak at the valve cover gaskets and who knows where else, but I've only driven it about 2000k since I got and changed the oil so I don't really know if it uses any. I'm thinking about esso xd3 0w40. What other oils should I consider?

 

[Compman1988]

If you haven't switched to synthetic yet, I'd try to get that leak fixed first. Synthetics may increase the rate of the oil leak. An auto-rx might be the solution.

 

[Ron AKA]

I would consider the Walmart TECH2000 0w30 synthetic, or the XD-3 0w30, if you get a better cost on it.

 

[eljefino]

I'm with ron, something store brand.

PS, I like your style, not many people around here say "caprice" and "winter" in the same breath.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

We owned a 1988 Caprice Estate wagon with the same setup in Buffalo, NY. Lowest temp ever was probably 5F and for the last 5 years of it's life, it got Havoline 20w50. Started every morning without fail. Best way to start it was push the gas all the way down and release, then turn the key. Started in about 1.5 seconds. I agree with the above, use a store syn and change every 3k.

 

[caprice_2nv]

FYI I'm running GC 0W30 in the car now and after almost 2500km's with quite a bit of hard accleration the oil level has not moved a bit. Also the motor starts the same as the last posters ^, one pump to the floor and it will start in 1-2 seconds in the mornings. If its been run within the past few hours, don't touch the gas, quick turn of the key and it fires right up and runs smooth. Pretty good for a nearly 20 year old carbereted beater that cost $300 Cnd.

 

[caprice_2nv]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I replaced the valve cover gaskets to fix the leak that was costing about a qt of oil in 1500-2000km's and other than that leak that was there before putting synthetic no new leaks have popped up.

 

[Gene K]

Just keep your current oil. Just put fresh oil in before winter. If you want to save money there is always XD3 0W-30.

 

[G-MAN]

I think GC 0w30 would be perfect for the winter.