Oil and Filter Recomendation

[Glen C.]

I imagine there is a lot of info in the archives but I can't seem to come up with the right combination of search verbage. I'm getting ready for my first oil change after getting my 1972. There's about 300 miles on the engne rebuild. The engine is a base 350 with an upgraded cam and new pistons. What would be a good oil and filter recommendation?

Thanks,

Glen

[Thomas H.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

Hi Glen,

There may be more discussions about oil in the archives then any other single topic..............

Duke and others have presented a lot of info on oil and how to decide what to use. I personally use Shell Rotella T in my cars, but the brand is not what matters it is the API classification.

As for oil filters, Joe Lucia has a post outlining the construction of the filters on the market. If I recall correctly, Fram came in near the bottom and Wix was up at the top.

You might try a search on Duke's postings as well as Joe's. I found it good to read through those posts and learn what to look for in oil and filter selection.

Tom

[Douglas C.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

I imagine there is a lot of info in the archives but I can't seem to come up with the right combination of search verbage. I'm getting ready for my first oil change after getting my 1972. There's about 300 miles on the engne rebuild. The engine is a base 350 with an upgraded cam and new pistons. What would be a good oil and filter recommendation?

Thanks,

Glen

Upgraded cam? Flat tappet or roller cam? If flat tappet you can research Duke's oil information, if you now have a roller set up you can use any oil you want. Filters I would suggest something other than Fram. NAPA Gold filter is made by Wix for example.

Doug

[Glen C.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

Doug,

I checked and the cam is a flat tappet hydraulic and the rocker arms are roller tip. The engine was rebuilt just prior to my purchase and I had to check the paperwork passed to me at the time of sale.

Thanks,

Glen

[Douglas C.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

Doug,

I checked and the cam is a flat tappet hydraulic and the rocker arms are roller tip. The engine was rebuilt just prior to my purchase and I had to check the paperwork passed to me at the time of sale.

Thanks,

Glen

Hi Glen,

I would suggest checking Duke's oil post information for the best information. Then you can go forward feeling safe on your choice.

Doug

[Michael J.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

Right any CJ-4 rated oil, cheapest is OK, and the NAPA GOLD Wix filter, can't go wrong with that combo in an old school engine.

[Joe L.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

I imagine there is a lot of info in the archives but I can't seem to come up with the right combination of search verbage. I'm getting ready for my first oil change after getting my 1972. There's about 300 miles on the engne rebuild. The engine is a base 350 with an upgraded cam and new pistons. What would be a good oil and filter recommendation?

Thanks,

Glen

Glen-----

Of the filters generally available today and which I have "autopsied", I feel that the WIX brand are the best overall.

However, GM has re-released most of its UPF series of synthetic media filters and I have not "autopsied" one of these yet. If their internal construction is like the old "UPF series filters, then I would put them right up there with the WIX. If their internal construction is like the current standard AC Delco filters with only a difference in media material, then I would not be very comfortable with them.

I want to emphasize, though, that I have no doubt that all of the major brand filters are compliant with the standards developed by the automobile manufacturers and are adequate for any application for which they are cataloged.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

I was told yesterday by a very competent Corvette mechanic that now even Rotella has reduced its zinc content to very low levels. Is this true or just another urban legend? Any comments?
Jeff

[Michael J.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

In looking around for analysis, the new 15W-40 Rotella T with Triple Protection oil has approximately 1200 ppm of zinc and 1100 ppm phosphorus at the time of manufacture. That is lower than it used to be several years ago, but I understand new lower zinc and phosphorous specs were put out for CJ-4 oils. I don't think this is much different than any other CJ-4 oils, but Duke would know for sure.

[Jim T.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

I imagine there is a lot of info in the archives but I can't seem to come up with the right combination of search verbage. I'm getting ready for my first oil change after getting my 1972. There's about 300 miles on the engne rebuild. The engine is a base 350 with an upgraded cam and new pistons. What would be a good oil and filter recommendation?

Thanks,

Glen

I use only diesel type oil in my my 1968, 1970, and 1985 Corvettes. Have used Shell, Mobil, Valvoline, and Castrol diesel oils. Was able to find Shell Rotella 10-30 once some time ago, but usually only find 15-40 diesel oil on store shelves. I am more particular on my oil filters. For a several years now since discovering the AC Delco PF2232 it is my only filter choice for my Corvettes. This filter is AC Delco's filter for their diesel trucks and when it is held in your hand you can tell the weight difference.

Diesel oil still has the ZDDP protection needed for camshaft and lifters in my Corvettes. ZDDP is not used in automotive oils like it was when our old Corvettes were made.

[Michael W.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

I was told yesterday by a very competent Corvette mechanic that now even Rotella has reduced its zinc content to very low levels. Is this true or just another urban legend? Any comments?
Jeff

False. Read Duke's article that addresses this very subject.

[Jim D.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

Although I use diesel oil in my old cars, just in case, I wonder exactly how important the zinc content is for bone stock engines. The reason I ask is that GM didn't go to roller cams until 1996 in their trucks. I bought my 93 truck brand new, used any oil that was on sale but never a diesel oil and last year it had over 150K miles on it with no engine problems. Surely if was a big issue, every pre-96 GM truck out there would have a flat cam. I doubt every owner is running diesel oil in all of them. In fact, last year was the first time I put diesel oil in my 60 and never had any problems with the cam in it either. Just thinking out loud. Thanks for listening.

[Duke W.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

I was told yesterday by a very competent Corvette mechanic that now even Rotella has reduced its zinc content to very low levels. Is this true or just another urban legend? Any comments?Jeff

Yeah, the guy has his head up his a...

For the zillionth time here is the link to the "oil article". I cant believe no one can find it using the search function. The article starts on page 3.

http://stlouisncrs.org/news_files/St_Louis_NCRS_Chapter_July_2011.pdf

Do the world a favor by making a photocopy and giving it to your mechanic so he doesn't spread his drivel to anymore of his customers.

I prefer Baldwin filters:

http://www.baldwinfilter.com/

Use the "Product Search" function from home page to get to the catalog and cross reference. If you have the Delco number, use the cross reference. They have a filter for most OE applications and Baldwin filters are available from any parts house that caters to the medium/HD truck and industrial equipment trade.

Duke

[Glen C.]

Re: Oil and Filter Recomendation

Thanks everyone. I read all the recommended posts and based on those and everyone's advice I picked up a Wix filter and Shell Rotella T 15-40 today and will get the oil changed this week.

Glen