I have a 1970 Electra 225 with the 455. I don't have a manual or anything and would like to know what weight/viscosity oil was originally specified. I think I have the oil and air filters based on Autozone, etc. Please tell me if these are wrong: Oil Filters Wix 51258 STP S23 Bosch 3423 Mobil M1-203 K&N HP-2003 Air Filters Wix 42095 STP SA136 K&N E-1650 Also, what is the oil capacity for the 1970 455? Thanks.
PF 24 is the original Delco filter number . Many here like the NAPA gold. 30 weight was the original but others will do. 5 quarts is the capacity when you change the filter.
Thanks. Wow, only 5 quarts for that huge engine. My 6.0l L76 requires almost 9 quarts! Yeah, I think the NAPA Gold is about the same thing as the Wix. I saw somewhere about needing to use oil with zinc in it or something. Do I need to buy anything out of the ordinary or will regular dino be sufficient?
Check out a zinc additive like ZDDP, I would recommend it. There are plenty of threads in the engine sections that explain why. The long and the short of it is that your camshaft will thank you for using it.
Thanks for cutting to the chase. Do you know of any local retailers that would carry this or do I have to order it online from one of their distributors? Thanks.
You'll probably have to get it on-line; I get mine from a guy who regularly orders from a vintage T-Bird outfit, google ZDDP and see what comes up; - the manufacturer probably has some local distributors in your area.
My 71 shop manual lists the following for use above 32 degrees F. 10w-30 20w 10w-40 20w-40 Here is a link where oils were recently discussed. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=211703 Some are using 15w40 oil like Rotella formulated for diesel engines and it still has higher levels of zinc in it. Others have went to synthetic. I have not bought into the hoopla that the reduction of zinc additive is harmful to our older engines. Most of what I read on the subject is based hearsay and emotion and not fact. It is not conceivable all the major oil manufacturers would make change to their oil that would ruin millions of engines. Here is a good read on the subject. http://forums.aaca.org/f115/motor-oil-zinc-other-myths-272260.html Read the PDF file in the first post.
Greg Gessler is a fellow Buick Racer and he sells ZDDPlus. I use it with every oil change. Oil manufacturers have been reducing zinc and phosphorus in oil because modern engines use roller valve trains. Older engines with flat tappet cams need more ZDDP. Forget diesel oil, it is not formulated for a higher revving gasoline engine. http://www.gesslerheadporting.com/g...d4b9d0fa531d99f18525743c007ea8eb!OpenDocument
Believe every word that Larry said,,, do not under any circumstances run the oil we now get without adding zddp additive.. you will destroy the cam and lifters if you do.... me, i aint taking no chances with my engine,, I lost a truck engine because of this.... the friction wiped a cam lobe off and the resulting chips destroyed the oil pump, rod and main bearings, ect....
