The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What type of oil and how much?

Hi everyone,
I have a 52' with a 216 that's been sitting for the last 5-10 years (or so I'm told by the previous owner). What is the best kind of oil for this engine? I plan to drain and replace the oil and filter. Is there a safe way to clean out the old oil? What filter will fit this engine?
Thanks

If the oil looks fairly clean and not grease like, drain it and add new oil of your choice, 10-30 or straight 30 weight and run it. Removing the valve cover and oiling the rockers would be good advice before starting and leave it off once it starts to check for oil pressure. These are low pressure engines compared to modern ones so it shouldn't spray everywhere. This engine has no oil filter unless it has one mounted by a dealer or previous owner. If it does have one its not a 100 percent filter, meaning only a small percent of the oil gets filtered at one time. Over time all the oil gets filtered but it takes quite a while.


You might need to change oil a few times till it cleans up. If the oil looks like sludge, fill the engine with diesel fuel if you can afford it, and let it set for a week or so. Then drain and fill with oil of your choice. Running clean oil and one quart of dexron trans fluid will clean them out as well, trans fluid is high in detergents.

Be aware you can break loose a lot of dried bits of stuff in the engine and can plug up the pick up tube. If theres any doubt about the condition of the engine, pull the pan and clean it along with the pick up tube to the oil pump. To check for sludge, poke a stiff wire in the drain plug hole and dig around on the bottom of the pan to see what you find. Then you will know if you have to pull it or not.

Todays oils are much better then the old stuff so your choice of what to use really comes down to what brand you like. Theres really no need for additives (zinc) since this is a stock, well broke-in engine.

Joe

Thanks for the input Joe! I'll be draining all of the fluids this spring. If I do pull the pan, will I need a new gasket?

If it comes to the pan pulling, yes sir, a new gasket is my reccomendation. The old one will have been crushed and won't seal properly leading to oil leaks.
Joe gave some really great tips. Hopefully you won't have that worse case scenario of having to pull the pan though. I have my fingers crossed that some oil changing will be all you'll need to clean it up.
I like to use Castrol 30w in all of my vehicles. I just think its cleaner than some others I've used in the past and it helps also clean up old gunk in an older engine. Some of the guys might offer some reccomendations.
Come back to this thread and let us know how it turns out, will ya?

Jerry

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep ya posted. I've got my fingers crossed too! Anyone else have recommendations on oil type?

Well, today I drained the oil. Wasn't sure what to expect. Oil plug easily broke loose and the oil just poured out! Oil looks like the oil out of my 93 GMC truck after 5,000 miles! No particles or chunks came out, just thin black oil! Hopefully this is a sign that the engine was well taken care of and well preserved as it sat for 10+ years. I bought a 5qt jug of Castrol 10-30. Anyone know how much the 216 engines hold roughly?
Thanks

"roughly" 5 quarts

Anybody every heard of or put diesel oil or a oil additive (ZDDP based) in for more lubrication in these old engines? My friend had a 67 400 in his 442 and the machine shop said his flat tappets were ruined because of the lack of old lubricants in modern oil. Any opinions?

You'll see a few opinions by using the "Search" feature, right above these posts, and just to the left of FAQ. Search on: +zddp +diesel

I seems that a ZDDP additive is a necessity when breaking-in new flat tappets and cam. Most likely, using a oil with more ZDDP would not hurt, even after tappet/cam break-in.

Wait to hear if anyone has an opinion (and experience) with a 442's 400 engine.