what oil to use in a 1970 gmc with 402 bb?

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Just purchased a 1970 gmc c-20 camper special with 402 big block. Does anyone know what gm reccomended back in the day. Or what would be the best oil for it now. I have no idea what the last owner used
 
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I would use a 15w40 diesel oil(HDEO). Shell Rotella seems to be a favorite here as far as HDEO's go.
 
Chevron Delo 400 is good too ,Good moly in it,
Mobil 1 15w50 if its nice and loose
If its fresh (rebuilt) .any quality 10w30 dino.
Any sludge probs?
What transmission? 4.11 rears I think.
 
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No sludge that i know of 91,000 miles on it. Been mostly sitting since 1999. No idea on the rear gears.
 
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I've read many times that GMC BB's like their oil thick - during the summer, 20W-50 wouldn't be out of the question here.

Keep an eye on the level.
 
"I've read many times that GMC BB's like their oil thick - during the summer, 20W-50 wouldn't be out of the question here."


I would agree. 15w-50, 20w-50.

I had a 68 C-10 1/2 ton with a 427 BB, Turbo 400 stock and it liked 10w-40 Valvoline. I also had a 69 Camper special 3/4 ton with dual overloads and heavy duty 10 ply tires with a 350 4 bolt main and a turbo 400. The 427 was much faster, but the 350 was perfect in that truck. I just hated the canister oil filter, getting that dang o-ring to seal.

Every oil change was like the James Dean gusher scene in the movie "Giant", you took a bath in oil.


A guy down the street had an orange and white 70 GMC with a 402 in it. It was a camper special with the faux wood tape on the side.

When you opened the glove box door on those trucks the build sticker was attached to the glove box door. It showed the engine and trans the truck came with along with some other specs. On the 68, I don't know how many times I had to prove to people that it came with a 427. Nobody would believe it did, but it did. The only thing it wouldn't pass was a gas pump.
 
HDEO (5-15)w-40
Anyone will do nicely...
Do a short oci in case the oil cleans it out. (it will if
theres anything to clean)
 
Checkout the build sticker inside on the glovebox door if it is still there. I think it shows the gear ratio? I know it show the engine and trans along with the GVW and payload capacity.

I also never cared for those having the gas tank inside of the cab.

Although they are possibly the easiest vehicle in the world to siphon gas from.
 
BBC's are notorious for eating cams, I would run nothing less than an HDEO,its cheap,its simple.
 
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