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| | | Forums66 Topics128,049 Posts1,055,699 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466 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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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For helping keep this great
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | OK Brethern, gather round and let me have your best awnsers for oil recommendations for old sixes. It would be a great Tech Tip I think and there is always a lot of interest in this area.
Please submit your awnsers to me and we'll look them over and submit the best or a compilation of the best and see about getting it up as a new Tech Tip.
Always open for suggestions to other new Tech Tips too. Let's hear from you. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | What I look for when buying oil is the API SL or lower rating. The SM rating is the oil that is low in zinc.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion. Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | I'd like to see something submitted that is more than personal preferences or experiences. Something that is more definative by nature and includes data as one would submit in a term paper, etc. So much of what we see on a container is unexplained so the vast majority of us don't really know what we are buying. Perhaps this is something I should go to the oil companies for but some of you folks are so knowledgable I like to ask here first. Naturally all input is appreciated. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | Good plan. I've based my preference on articles aimed at the non-technical of us who don't want to know all of the details, just what will & won't hurt our old rides. The one common thread I've found is the API SL rating. I can't give you on-line resources because what I've read is print media & most of those I didn't save. 
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion. Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 54 | To all, Just read about a new product offered by Eastwood called ZDDP-Plus. Have not personally tested it, but it was interesting to hear about the change in current motor oil. It's an additive to your oil at change to put in Zinc Dialkyl Ditho Phosphate to help non-roller lifters from deteriorating early.
Eric | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 85 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 85 | new motor oil I thought this was a good writeup on the new motor oils.From reading this it looks like the best oil to run in the old inline 6 is the diesel motor oil because of the better zinc protection. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | All of the new Rotella stocked locally has gone to the SM formulation.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion. Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 | Aug 28th, 06, 08:49 PM The following is a response from Valvoline to an email I sent back in April.
The consensus in the industry is that the current chemical limits of the GF-4/SM category is still sufficient to protect all "street" engines, including older flat tappet foller engines. The engine tests required for a GF-4/SM products is just as severe as the older, higher ZDDP allowed category. For the special applications (aggressive cams, high HP racing motors, ... etc) where the customer needs more ZDDP protection, our NON-GF-4 products still contain the higher levels (such as VR-1 and "not street legal" racing). Valvoline conventional motor oils are still perfectly fine for the older flat tappet applications and will be completely safe for protection........ Valvoline is right, there oils will work fine in old engines. T/C Steve | | |
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