Hi guys,

I've been out of the muscle car game for awhile and have a question.

My just purchased '69 Camaro has a fresh engine and it's time for her first oil change.

427, 10 to 1 KB pistons, Hyd roller cam.

What viscosity of oil would be best? Do folks run synthetics in these engines?

TIA

Chris - it really depends on how your engine was built - You will get answers from 5w30 to streight 50 wt, synthetic to race oil... Find out what the previous owner used or get with the engine builder and use what he recomends. If for some reason you can't contact either try a 5w30 or 10w30 and compare your current oil pressure under various conditions (cold, hot, idle, on the hwy etc) and look for the oil that comes the closest to what it is now. Use the same brand filter during this testing as a change can also effect the oil pressure readings a little.

Thanks Dennis.

I called the previous owner, who put me in touch with the builder..

20W-50 was the winner.

i was going to say 20w50 as well..

I broken mine in with 10-40 Dino and then went to Synthetic 20-50.

First oil change all done - made much simpler with the help of my trusty scissor lift:

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l54/HIRISC/BlueInAir.jpg

20 50 is nice because it is normally branded as a "racing" oil and therefore has the better additive package with plenty of ZDDP. If you feel like it, there's plenty to read here and elsewhere on the web about what exactly our old, "outdated" flat tappet cams need to stay alive. It makes me dizzy...