[Deangelo66]

I have a big block that I plan to drive 2 thousand miles per year or so with no track time. I will use 10w30 synthetic. How often do most of you change your oil? Is once per year typical? And does it matter if I use or don't use a filter with an anti-drain back valve? Anyone have any issues with using one? Thanks

 

[Matt 69]

DeAngelo,
If it were my car, I would change the oil every 6 months in this case. You can use the synthetic, but I don't think that you need to. I Change my oil about every 2000 miles in my big block. I don't baby my car when I drive it. That's just me. You don't need an anti drain back valve in your oil filter. It won't hurt anything if you do use one with it either. Anti drain back valves are typically used in situations where the oil filter is mounted up side down or horizontally. As it's name implies, it keeps the oil in the filter after engine shut down acting as a one way check valve preventing the oil from draining out of the filter and back into the oil pan creating a dry start situation for the next time. Hope this helps.

Matt

 

[dhutton]

Flat tappet or roller cam?

Don

 

[DT]

I used VR1 10W30 in my BBC (roller motor). https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vlv-vv205/overview/

 

[Deangelo66]

DeAngelo,
If it were my car, I would change the oil every 6 months in this case. You can use the synthetic, but I don't think that you need to. I Change my oil about every 2000 miles in my big block. I don't baby my car when I drive it. That's just me. You don't need an anti drain back valve in your oil filter. It won't hurt anything if you do use one with it either. Anti drain back valves are typically used in situations where the oil filter is mounted up side down or horizontally. As it's name implies, it keeps the oil in the filter after engine shut down acting as a one way check valve preventing the oil from draining out of the filter and back into the oil pan creating a dry start situation for the next time. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the input, Matt. Helps a lot. D

Matt

Flat tappet or roller cam?

Don

I have a roller cam, Don.

 

[Deangelo66]

I used VR1 10W30 in my BBC (roller motor). https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vlv-vv205/overview/

How often do you change your oil, Donny? Love hearing what everyone does.

 

[SoCal805]

OP

short trip driving you want to change oil every 6 months

IMHO standard oil is fine given the low mileage and short change intervals.

The VR1 oil will have more zinc content which is good. IMHO a way better option than any synthetic on these older engines

FWIW I just use standard Castrol 10-30

Filters, I use WIX

 

[Deangelo66]

OP

short trip driving you want to change oil every 6 months

IMHO standard oil is fine given the low mileage and short change intervals.

The VR1 oil will have more zinc content which is good. IMHO a way better option than any synthetic on these older engines

FWIW I just use standard Castrol 10-30

Filters, I use WIX

Thanks, SoCal. Good idea about twice per year. I was changing my SBC's oil every winter and letting it sit til spring. I will drive the new motor more when it's cold because i will have heat from a new Vintage Air set up. I also use Wix filters. And what is VR1?

 

[DOUG G]

I would go at least once a year.

I love Valvoline VR1

I would try to use an anti drain back to help prevent any dry starts.

 

[Deangelo66]

I would go at least once a year.

I love Valvoline VR1

I would try to use an anti drain back to help prevent any dry starts.

Thanks, Doug. 👍🏽

 

[DT]

How often do you change your oil, Donny? Love hearing what everyone does.

I was changing it every season. I'm in upstate NY so the car only was driven late spring to summer if you know what I mean. I don't think I ever was close to 3,000 miles a "driving season".

 

[Deangelo66]

I was changing it every season. I'm in upstate NY so the car only was driven late spring to summer if you know what I mean. I don't think I ever was close to 3,000 miles a "driving season".

Ha Thanks, Donny.

 

[Vega$69]

Once a year whether it needs it or not👍

 

[Deangelo66]

Once a year whether it needs it or not👍

😁

 

[DjD]

I'm in the once a year mindset. When I started driving you changed the oil every 3 months or 3000 miles which ever came first, you changed the sparkplugs, points etc every 12,000 miles. Over the years the duration and mileage has evolved to where a lot of cars are going 15,000 miles on the same oil, 100,000 miles on the plugs... Most oil will hold up for a year with 5000 or more miles, even dino oil.

If you fire it up and drive 2 miles to the burger bar and later 2 miles home and that is the extent of your driving in a given day, change it several times a year. If you drive it for at least a half hour at a time that should be long enough to get all the condensation out of the crankcase, change it once a year. YMMV

 

[68camaroz28]

Once a year whether it needs it or not👍

That's what I do in the spring and use Brad Penn oil for our old stuff.

 

[Deangelo66]

I'm in the once a year mindset. When I started driving you changed the oil every 3 months or 3000 miles which ever came first, you changed the sparkplugs, points etc every 12,000 miles. Over the years the duration and mileage has evolved to where a lot of cars are going 15,000 miles on the same oil, 100,000 miles on the plugs... Most oil will hold up for a year with 5000 or more miles, even dino oil.

If you fire it up and drive 2 miles to the burger bar and later 2 miles home and that is the extent of your driving in a given day, change it several times a year. If you drive it for at least a half hour at a time that should be long enough to get all the condensation out of the crankcase, change it once a year. YMMV

Well said and excellent points. I really appreciate the thoughtful response. Love getting everyone’s opinions and practices. Allows me to make an informed decision. Thanks!

 

[SoCal805]

. And what is VR1?

411 on Valvoline VR1 oil

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...2d889bd3/a61538b4-0cbd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1

 

[Nicc21]

I use brad penn oil. i tried to buy the valvoline vr-1 online 2 years ago but it wouldnt ship to california so i bought the case of brad penn. Royal Purple filter. This thread reminded me to change my oil ASAP. I lost track of time and it has been a year and a half

 

[Deangelo66]

. And what is VR1?

411 on Valvoline VR1 oil

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...2d889bd3/a61538b4-0cbd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1

Thanks. 👍🏽

I use brad penn oil. i tried to buy the valvoline vr-1 online 2 years ago but it wouldnt ship to california so i bought the case of brad penn. Royal Purple filter. This thread reminded me to change my oil ASAP. I lost track of time and it has been a year and a half

😊👍🏽