hey guys bit of a bone question whats the best oil to use in a 1968 slightly modified 383 ???

 

Hydraulic or mechanical flat tappet...my choice is Vavoline 20W50 Racing Oil...it has the ZDPT in it....runs about 4 bucks a quart....remember that's my opinion and everyone has one.

 

I run Castrol 20w50

 

I have ran Valvoline for years in all my race motors!!!! NEVER had a problem.... That's my opinion also!!!!

 

awesome cheers guys 20W50 it is!

 

This year I been testing the Rotella T6 synthetic 5-40 oil. So far I really like it,this winter when I tear the 440 down I'll take a good look at the bearings and rings.But I do like the valvoline oils,just looking for some "cheap" power.

 

My engine builder has Brad Penn 10 wt in the Challenger but it scares me to death...... I have always ran 20 w 50 but he swears by the 10 wt Brad Penn..... I'm tempted to change it to Valvoline.. But he is still standing behind the engine so I can't loose!!!!! But you can bet sooner or later I'll have Valvoline in it!!!!!

 

I drive my '68 Polara 500 (318, 75k miles) from early April to early November in mid-eastern Canada. During winter months, the car is stored in a dry, lightly heated (radiant floor heat) building with many other cars. 20w50 seems most recommended in the posts here -- should I use that too, during summer and over the winter storage months? If not, please recommend. Thanks!

 

I'm no expert but 20w50 sounds heavy. Is something wrong with 10w30 like gets run in most regular vehicles? Plus zinc additive?

 

In my factory, some of the new cars are coning with 5w-20! Now some of this may be for mileage, or maybe the tighter clearances that the new motors have. In everything else I own, I am using 5/10w-30 synthetic. Harley has a 20w-50 synthetic. Nothing in my stable burns oil cept for my 263k Ram with a head leak and a 50/50 mix of oil and coolant in the pan! Never had to use 50wt in a car. Lotta things that really go into that decision. Are you filling a worn bearing space, large clearances? Some folks think that heat may cause thinning and want a 50wt oil. In that case just go to a synthetic. Its viscosity remains stable through a much larger heat range than organic. One piece of advice...if you have a 2.7 chrysler motor...Switch to synthetic NOW!

 

Washington State has weather that rarely strays from 15*F winter to 90*F summer, so I use 30Wt Castrol year-round with WIX FILTERS.

On a rebuild I will rotate 3 filters in 30 months, then chill to 3,000 mile intervals or when oil darkens to alarm. I have tried PURPLE, GRAPHITE,
EVERY SYNTHO.....

i ALWAYS OPERATE WITH 30Wt Castrol, established by my 'smoke test'; Pennzoil at 346*, Quaker State next at 404*, and my favorite at 495*.
I have 'KOOKED CASTROL OIL' in several demolition cars and they still ran.

Up to you........

-P-

 

Mac in your Challenger you may okay with the lighter weight oil...scotts74birds already comment on this...today's engines have tighter clearances and they use thinner oil so that it flows and offers less resistance for better gas mileage...the Brad Penn stuff is good too...like I said before everyone has there own opinion on oil...I just know where I am at..it's like summer 9 months out of the year...thicker is better in my old 440.