20W-50 Engine Oil

[LOTW]

Stock 383, should I be running 20W-50 or what do you guys suggest.......
Thanks in advance

 

[69hemibeep]

With a good engine as in not high mileage I would use 10-30 if its for street use

 

[Big John]

10W-30 or 10W-40. Be sure to get something with zinc or use a zinc additive so you don't destroy the cam.

 

[droptop]

Stock 383, should I be running 20W-50 or what do you guys suggest.......
Thanks in advance

I would only use that in an engine that has low oil pressure. I usually run 10W30 in my old cars because they don't get ran in the cold weather. I run 5W30 in the winter time in my daily drivers. :cents:

 

[Roadcuda]

I've been hearing people tell me that I should use 15W 40, Rotella oil. Would that be too thick to use?

 

[LOTW]

Interesting, what off the Walmart shelf brand and weight would you suggest John, or is the zinc type more of a special order and is it expensive?

 

[69hemibeep]

There are different ways to get zinc into the engine. I use 10-30 Chevron and substitute 1 quart with two red bottles of STP which is high in zinc, mine being a 7quart system and a warm climate. The red stp seams to be thinner and has more zinc than the blue bottle and I also have a solid cam .

 

[Jim S.]

I've been hearing people tell me that I should use 15W 40, Rotella oil. Would that be too thick to use?

I stockpiled a few years of Rotella 15W 40 that has the CI-4 rating. The new CJ-4 Rotella has reduced zinc levels.

...........................CI-4..............CJ-4
Zinc..................1390 ppm.......1210 ppm

Phospherous.........1265 ppm.......1110 ppm

About 12% lower for the new oil, but much more than the regular car SM spec oil.

 

[dobie]

I run Mobil 1 15w-50 with a can of Comp Cams break in lube.

 

[sixgunrunner68]

10W-30 or 10W-40. Be sure to get something with zinc or use a zinc additive so you don't destroy the cam.

I think this is pretty sound advice for a stocker. :cents:
Myself, I use 20w50 Valvoline VR1 oil (non-synthetic), but my engine is a bit more than stock.

 

[moparstuart]

I have alway run 20/50 valveline racing fomula , never had a problem . Plus it has zink

 

[3BIRDS1X]

I'm with the STP suggestion, I use the four cylinder version in my 95 Blazer as it doesn't change the viscosity and the other one for the Plymouths makes 20w50 out of 10w40 for cheaper than you can buy 20w50 plus you get the zinc.

 

[SomeCarGuy]

10-W30 is all you need for most engines. Zinc is the most important consideration today though. If 20-W50 is all you can find w/ zinc, that is better than getting a lighter weight.

Most places can order the 10-W30 VR1 if they carry the heavy weight.

 

[Basketcase]

when we rebuilt my 440 back in '86, the machinist recommended 20/50. I ran it for a few years till it got too expensive. and since I drive my car late in the year, it was hard startng in cold weather.

 

[mcmopar]

I've been using Wal-Mart 10W-30 synthetic with a bottle or two of STP. So far no problems.

 

[CompSyn]

When I get the 383 up and running it will use: 10W-30 AMSOIL Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil - link

Zinc..................1440 ppm

Phosphorous.........1320 ppm

Most people don’t need 20W-50 as it’s not the 1960s anymore and engine oil technology has come a long way. Shear resistant synthetics with high film strength is the way to go. Less power robbing drag with (less thick) viscosities to boot ...