1st 500 mile oil change on Chevy crate 350/290

[Coach]

I'm coming up on the initial 500 mile oil change for my new engine. It has flat tappet cams, so I need with a zinc formulated oil or a synthetic oil with a day zinc addative. Not sure which way to go, so I am looking for some advice. Where I live, full synthetic Royal Purple, Lucas Oil, Valvoline, etc.. are available, but can't locate Red Line, Joe Gibbs, Rotella, etc.. Also, as far as filters are concerned, I was thinking either Wix, Napa gold or ACDelco.

[calvin78612]

A little off topic,but what color is that ? Paint code ?

[71swb4x4]

Rotella is a diesel oil, try a truck stop/shop.

[GMC-YA68]

why did you want the flat tappet? just curious.

[piecesparts]

Try the additives from Summit Racing.

http://www.summitracing.com/search?S...inc%20additive

[twouvakind]

http://www.hemmings.com/classicoil/

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Use a good oil with a zink additive. Use Wix, Napa, or Carquest, filters. They are all the same & the best brand.

[Coach]

The color is a medium deep maroon with black top. Not sure the paint code, it was already painted when I bought it 4 months ago. As far as the flat tappet cams, the engine took a crap on me 10 days after I bought it. I put in a new Chevy Performance crate 350/290hp and that's what it came with. Since this is my first truck, I know more now than I did then...LOL

[68350]

I run brad Penn in my trucks. U can buy it by the case on eBay and it already has adequate zinc in it. Its really the same price as oil at a parts store and this way u can stock up for a few oil changes at a time. I've always run wix filters.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Coach

I'm coming up on the initial 500 mile oil change for my new engine. It has flat tappet cams, so I need with a zinc formulated oil or a synthetic oil with a day zinc addative. Not sure which way to go, so I am looking for some advice. Where I live, full synthetic Royal Purple, Lucas Oil, Valvoline, etc.. are available, but can't locate Red Line, Joe Gibbs, Rotella, etc.. Also, as far as filters are concerned, I was thinking either Wix, Napa gold or ACDelco.

I've been getting Rotella at Walmart. Beware I've been told they don't put as much zinc in it as they used to so I think it's additive city from here on out unless you want to spend the big bucks and mail order your oil. I don't think filters are an issue, just my opinion.

I'm a retired mechanic who worked at Cadillac during the 80's. We replaced so many cams on the HT4100! I got so many extra bottles of cam lube as we were instructed to only coat the cam not to put it in the crankcase. I'm down to about 3 bottles myself so I've been using that every oil change but soon I'm going to be in the same boat.

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by calvin78612

A little off topic,but what color is that ? Paint code ?

It looks like it may be close to the early 90's GMC crimson red metallic. Here is one, I have a 90 GMC just like it I could get the paint code off of.

http://allamericanautomobiles.com/car/36767435-4.html

[sprint_9]

Mobil 1 15w50 used to have zinc levels over 1000 ppm, but now the document showing that is gone. I am unsure if the formula has changed or if they just removed the document online.

Whichever oil you chose, it should state on the bottle somewhere if it has a high zinc level, otherwise use an additive.

[calvin78612]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

It looks like it may be close to the early 90's GMC crimson red metallic. Here is one, I have a 90 GMC just like it I could get the paint code off of.

http://allamericanautomobiles.com/car/36767435-4.html

That would be great. Thanks.

[Dirt's72]

I broke my 89 350 w/flat tapper cam in with rotela diesel per the mechanics advise. Even he was unsure if it would be sufficient at the time but that's what the engine builder told him. Since then I've added the blue stp bottle (from Walmart) to every oil change with mainly castrol oil. I was curious if anyone else uses the stp stuff? Also I just picked up some Quaker state oil (from Wal mart)that stated it had high zinc levels.
Knock on wood.

[az's1971C10]

I use Valvoline 10-30 synthetic with Hy-per lube zinc replacement I bought at Autozone. I use to have a list of high zinc oils but I can't find it. You can check the website bobstheoilguy for all info needed on oil and oil additives. Hope this helps

Cheers

[Chris.Guerrero]

Coach,

Oils with Higher levels of ZDDP are recommended for engines with flat tappet cams. We recommend that you check with the manufacturer of the engine on the proper oil viscosity. Shell Rotella T multi-grade oils (SAE 15W-40, 0W-40 5W-40, 10W-40, 10W-30) contain approximately 1,200 ppm of phosphorus. This includes Shell Rotella T conventional, Shell Rotella T5 synthetic blend and Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic engine oils. You can visit www.Rotella.com for more information and to find a retailer in your area at http://www.shell.com/rotella/locator.html

-The Shell Rotella Team

[engineer_gregh]

Here is what I use. I spoke with Comp Cams before making the choice as I'm running their 268 cam kit.

Amazon.com: Competition Cams 1590-12 10W30 Engine...

[1972BlueC20]

I'm using Valvoline 10w-30 conventional with a bottle of Rislone ZDDP additive bottle # 4405.