The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop engine oils

Hard to find 30 w oil around here. All I seem to find is shell Dello. Is this ok for a 261?

Why not use a good multigrade oil?

Kurt

Dello is a 15W40 viscosity. It will work good in your climate.

15W40 Rotella

I just bought this oil this afternoon, Checked my local Carquest, Napa, Oreilly auto. No one had it on the shelf.

Went to Walmart they had the gallon jugs on sale for 12 bucks, also had quarts on the shelf.

Orieily did have the fram C4P oil filter I needed.
Im using that oil on a 235

15W40 is usually for diesels it may be a little thick for a 235. if you are looking for a straight 30W you can try a harley dealer for it.

i am using valvoline VR1 oil which has the zinc in it that our flat tappet engines should have.It is recomended on Patricks website wich is in the links on this site.I get it at NAPA.

Most "Tractor Supply Stores" have straight 30W motor oil in stock

Tommy,

What year and size engine are you referring to?

GM recommended multi-viscosity oils for 1954 and later 235/261 engines (and also recommended single weight oils).

These would be fine:
10W-30
10W-40
15W-30
15W-40
and even 20W-50 would do no harm to a 1954 and later 235/261 engine

Diesel oil with ZDDP would be fine.

Tim,

I have a 59 261. I sure I've always put 30w oil in most of the vehicles I've owned up until maybe 10 yrs ago.I realize technology has changed over the years and the oils may have improved. I had quite a few 325,230,250 6 bangers over the years and always did 30w, heck thats about the only thing that was available other than 40w and harley d 50w. I just noticed the other day when looking for oil that every place I looked there was no 30w.

Tommy,

1959 Chevrolet Truck Operator's Manual - Lubrication

GM's specification/recommendation of multi-viscosity oil started with 1954 engines (single grade oil was also specified/recommended). Of course, the benefits of multi-viscosity oils were the combination of the "easy starting characteristics and . . warm weather operating characteristics".

Nonetheless, if you want 30W oil, have you checked NAPA and Walmart (they have both detergent and non-detergent 30W oil in our area)?

Our Walmart carries it, and so do the big auto parts places. Here, you've got you pick of non-detergent, or detergent even. Life is good in Brentwood.

I've been doing some research lately and the oil that is labeled for ATV or Air cooled engines is a good alternative. They don't have all the emmission standards that automobiles do now, so they still run plenty of ZDDP in the oil.

Advance Auto stocks 30 wt. Shell,Penn,Castrol and the standard store brand and one other one but can't remember it. They have both, ND non detergent and HD high detergent.

If this is a old engine with lots of miles on it, you have no need for the high zinc levels in race oil or diesel oil. You cam is well broke in and the valve springs are pretty weak compared to high quality race springs. So any oil oil you wish to run will work fine. 10w30 is the same as straight 30 once warmed up but will flow better when cold so you have more lube and less drag at first fire. I run 5w30 in my 250 and dad runs 5w20 in his race motor (469 ci Pontiac), we like the less wear and tear on oil pump drives and gears. Thick oils like 20w50 just cause stain on the pump drive and rob horse power.

Joe

about the only reason to use straight weight oil is momentum from the past, even Caterpiller recommends 15/40 now. You will have to ask Grig about Detroits, I know 15 years ago they were recommending non-detergent 40 weight, but maybe they have caught up with the rest of the world by now. I have been using 5w30 for about 5 years now just because thats what all my new cars are using it seems to be working fine. the engine was rebuilt in 1979, form your own opinion.