The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Beginner oil change question

The truck is a 52 suburban. The owners manual states to fill the crank case through the valve rocker arm cover. Do I need to take the whole cover off over is there another way? This is my first old truck and what may be obvious to most is not to me. In addition, I have read the owners manual and I dont see where to drain the engine of oil - is this "obvious" when I look under the engine? Thank you

You don't mention what engine you have(a 216?), but in any case, there should be a cap on the valve cover to open and add oil. On the rear of the oil pan, bottom of engine, you should see a screw in plug. Open that and your old oil will drain out.

Sorry for the oversight - its a 261. I assume your directions still stand? Thank you for the reply. I want to be believe that things are very simple on these old trucks but I knwo what happens when one assumes so I figure asking questions is the 'wiser' route to go. Regards

Drew,

If the engine has the auxiliary oil filter, you will need to drain that too.

Kurt

First: you should buy a Shop Manual and an Owner's Manual for your year of truck.

Second: you should buy a Shop Manual and on Owner's Manual for the year of your engine, because your engine is from a different year than the truck. Engine maintenance will be designated in that year's Owner's Manual and tune-up/maintenance information for the engine will be in that year Shop Manual.

You can determine the year of your engine by finding and posting here the various codes that you find.

The oil is put into the hole in the top of the valve cover (after removing the oil filler cap). The oil is drained by removing the drain plug (bolt) at the bottom rear of the oil pan. You will also have to replace the oil filter element (if you engine has an oil filter). The 1958-1963 oil filter is quite different from the earlier optional by-pass oil filters.

Hi Drew. Welcome to the StoveBolt. Don't be concerned by asking those "obvious" questions because everyone (even our experts) at one time didn't know either. So welcome aboard and we're glad to have you among us. Ask away.