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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 23 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 23 | I have been reading/researching the forum and net for two weeks. Past threads that give a source for buying 50Wt appear to be older and I haven't found any luck in locating the recommended 50wt Non-detergent oil for the original air filter. Amalie did have some but i had to buy a case. I have a 235 engine and live in Florida. All I can locate is 30Wt non detergent. Some posts state they have used it with success but since its only 98 degrees here, I am afraid 30wt may be too low. All the oil companies I call give too much tech info and are typically too young to even know of an oil bath. Some are telling me to use an ISO 220 or 320 grade anti wear hydraulic oil. My question is does anyone have a source for 50W non-detergent?
Last edited by Fancyt; 09/19/2019 8:18 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 225 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 225 | Fancyt,
My 51 3100 is all back original, including the 216. I run 30W Detergent Oil in my oil bath, cause it's cheap and every parts house has it. Been on the road most all of this year, no problems. And yep, we have the same weather here, you have there.
My truck ain't a daily driver, but weather permitting, it gets run every weekend. I check the oil in it, from time to time, looked like brand new oil last weekend.
Mike
1951 3100 5 window
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Use any brand 50 W (detergent or non-detergent) oil in an oil bath air cleaner. The oil catches the dust/dirt. The oil weight allows the oil to migrate into the mesh/element, but supposedly not enough to get sucked into the carburetor. no need to be synthetic no need to have any additives | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 325 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 325 | Interesting, I have been using transmission fluid. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | What weight/grade transmission fluid? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 | The cheapest 30 weight oil you can find will work just fine. The only purpose for having oil in the filter is to trap the dust and other heavy particles in the air as it makes a 180 degree turn as it passes through the air cleaner. Any oil will work, even hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid, or 90-weight gear lube. There doesn't need to be enough oil in the assembly for it to migrate into the packing of the upper section, although some people like to mist some kind of lightweight aerosol like WD-40 or something similar into the woven part of the filter.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Thanks, but I'll stick with 50 weight as specified by GM.
Filled to the line on the oil-bath base.
It has worked fine for me for almost 40 years - I would not like to void my warranty. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 | Tim, you must have that super duper extended warranty, LOL.
Towards the end of my old 216's service life I ran 15w40 in the engine so thats what I ran in the oil bath. I didn't have that super duper warranty so I didn't fear reprisals, LOL. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 325 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 325 | What weight/grade transmission fluid? Just regular red stuff that's used in newer automobiles. My great uncle used to add transmission fluid to the gas tank, because he thought it cleaned the carb & engine. So it seemed to me that it would work in the oil bath. From now on maybe I'll add regular motor oil instead. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | My great uncle used to add transmission fluid to the gas tank, because he thought it cleaned the carb & engine. So it seemed to me that it would work in the oil bath. From now on maybe I'll add regular motor oil instead. Probably would clean the valve train components nicely but dont do it with newer vehicles with a O2 sensor, it would kill it in no time.
Last edited by sstock; 09/23/2019 2:38 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
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