I have a 68 camaro big block, and was wondering if I should be using a particular motor oil for my car because of engine heat. Most big blocks tend to run hot, so is their a motor oil formulated specifically for this eg. castrol oil? Right now ,I currently use valvaline 10w-30. Thanks for any help!

I'm sure you'll get a flood of responses! I have been using Mobil 1 synthetic - 15W50 in my 355 high compression motor with good results.. I use their other weights in all my vehicles. Regardless of brand loyalty, I would recommend a synthetic for temperature and wear protection

Amsoil is the best synthetic oil there is. Mobil 1 is second best. All the others are pretenders. Amsoil has been making synthetic oil longer than any of the others. I think synthetic oil is much better than petrolium oil. Check out www.amsoil.com (http://www.amsoil.com) and see.

I have to agree with RickD for the most part. Only I prefer the Chevron Delo series of oils. I also run the 15W50 synthetic.

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67 Camaro LS6 454/TH400/12bolt 3.73

Im from up here in Minnesota dude and I use Castrol 5/50 synthetic. No problems, no smoke, only add a quart every once in awhile. Its with a sm 327 doing about 325hp with a 4 speed. Could anyone say for sure if a heavier weight is necessary with a sm block, in a cooler climate, with a hopped up engine?
www.geocities.com/macgse/68CamaroRS.html (http://www.geocities.com/macgse/68CamaroRS.html)

thanks for all your help. I was looking at amsoil's web sight and they don't make a 15w-50. are you sure you don't mean 20w-50? Also, should I use a specific filter, and how often should synthetic oil be changed? thanks again!

[This message has been edited by denis68 (edited 04-22-2000).]

To help you pick an oil that will be best for you, I'll try and explain some terminology used.

1) Viscosity: This is a measurement of a fluids resistance to flow. The lower the number, the easier it is to flow.

2) Viscosity Index (aka V.I.) This is a number indicating the effect temperature has on the viscosity of oil. (As temp increases, the oil becomes less viscous.) The higher the number, the lower it's tendency to change viscosity with temperature.

With these two terms explained, lets take a look at the typical multigrade oil we're discussing, 15W50.
15W: This designates the viscosity of the oil at 0 degrees F. (The "W" indicates it is suitable for winter time use.)
50: This designates the viscosity of the oil (also rated at 0 degrees F.)after engine has reached operating temperature. This is accomplished by adding V.I. improvers, usually a high molecular weight polymer that reacts with temperature.

Because most passenger car engines don't have a pre-luber, oil flow to engine wear parts is very critical on startup. This is when most of the engine wear happens. With the lower viscosity oil, it will flow faster to the critical parts than a heavier oil, but will also loose viscosity faster when the temp increases. That's where multiweight oils are the most effective. They deliver good cold flowability and retain viscosity at higher temps.

The viscosity to run needs to coincide with the temperature of the area you live in. Up here in Northern Alaska, in our gas engines we run 0W30 synthetic in the winter and then 5W30 in the summer. In the hot regions like Arizona, a 20W50 would be prefered. I picked the 15W50 because I don't drive my car in the winter and because it produces more heat than a normal engine. The factories on new cars recommend lower grade multiweights due to fuel economy restrictions.

Synthetic vs Regular oil? The synthetics are made from synthetic base stocks. They improve stability and volatility, as well as quicker lubrication to vital wear areas. You can also extend the drain intervals due to the superior additives and less tendency to break down as quickly. Typical engine oils I change at 3,000 miles and sythetics I go to upwards of 5,000 to 6,000 miles. I would go with a good name brand filter and change it when you change your oil.

I hope I haven't missed anything, if so just ask.


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67 Camaro LS6 454/TH400/12bolt 3.73

I have to disagree with the amsoil response they have not been doing it the longest Sheaffer has and by there specs it's a better oil.Most people don't even know about them because they don't advertise the American govt. is probably they're biggest customer.

I had mentioned Mobil 1 in a 15W-50 weight, not Castrol. Ahhh, the subject of oil filter choice. Another topic of infinite opinions and choices. There have been some studies of filter quality and performance. I'll have to look through my stuff to find them. I recall that Fram is to be avoided since they went to offshore producers. There is a pressure valve that is metal in quality filters that became a cardboard piece in Fram. Kind of hard to believe. I use either Ac-Delco or Mobil 1. Mobil 1 is pricey but there are periodic sales that make for an attractive price when bought as part of an oil/filter combo kit.

Uuuuhhhh, yea, what cardude said. http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

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Steve
http://www.geocities.com/stevocamaro/

We've done studies in the past on oil filtration that would fill volumes. What we found is that many of the "Name Brand" filters didn't perform as well as expected. The top performers were Baldwin, Donaldson & AC-Delco. The filters tested were of course the three mentioned as well as Fram, Wix, Napa & Fleetguard. What namely made the losers fail was 1) media design & 2) the pressure relief valve like Rick mentioned.
I personally use AC-Delco because they are easy to find and of quality mfg. I've never tried the mobil-1 filters, I'll have to find one and cut it open and see the build quality.

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67 Camaro LS6 454/TH400/12bolt 3.73

i use Mobil 1 synthetic - 15W50 with a Mobil 1 Filter (+_$4.25/quart + $10/filter at auto zone) in my 396. happy so far. i probably put less than 5000 miles per year so my plan is at least once a year or every 5000 miles. i live in mississippi and temps run very high here in summmers and with all the lobal warming, winters seem to be non existant lately.

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To see a pic of my car, click here... pages.prodigy.net/mtbmtb/rf396ss.jpg (http://pages.prodigy.net/mtbmtb/rf396ss.jpg)