The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Small Block Normalcy (what should it be doing?)

Dead Parrot · 06-20-2018, 09:10 AM

Normal oil for a stock 350 is 10w-30. The only number that is a little bit worrisome is the 5psi at hot idle. But you are probably in a part of the gauge scale that makes that a bit of a guess. If you don't have lifter rattle/clatter at hot idle, don't worry too much.

Changing to a thicker oil to 'fix' low oil pressure just masks a problem, it doesn't fix it.

Valve cover gaskets are the leading suspects for SBC oil leaks.

As for bad smells, a small fuel leak can create a lot of bad engine smell.

06-20-2018, 09:10 AM	#5
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,485	Re: Small Block Normalcy (what should it be doing?) Normal oil for a stock 350 is 10w-30. The only number that is a little bit worrisome is the 5psi at hot idle. But you are probably in a part of the gauge scale that makes that a bit of a guess. If you don't have lifter rattle/clatter at hot idle, don't worry too much. Changing to a thicker oil to 'fix' low oil pressure just masks a problem, it doesn't fix it. Valve cover gaskets are the leading suspects for SBC oil leaks. As for bad smells, a small fuel leak can create a lot of bad engine smell.