Soaking Wet Noob here in So. Cal with tons of 401 nailhead Q's

Ugh…this learning curve sucks butt. I hope I didn’t screw something up. I don’t like breaking down on dark stormy nights

So use straight 30w or 10w/30? Are u saying to add the ZDDP or buy the oil with the ZDDP already in it?

 

Given all the info thus far, drive your car and enjoy it.
Most of what is being discussed is minor things.

The "breaking down" thing is if you start monkeying around without knowing what you have to begin with, nor what you are trying to accomplish.

"Doing something" just to do it, is not the best approach, that is what I meant.

Nothing you have said so far indicates anything that is going to break, or that you will hurt the engine.

This is one of those things where the balance between "talking over your head" or "insulting your intelligence" is how people reply to the posts.



As far as oil, there are several good quality oils on the market that are fine for older cars.

If you need some feedback on what other folks are using, ask. Then research on those replies and ask questions if you have them.

You are at a point where an oil change is about due anyway.

I use Joe Gibbs Driven HR 10-30 with ZDDP. It is a bit more, but I do not have a problem spending the money.


I blame the perspective I have on a background of military aircraft maintenance, auto and motorcycle mechanic, and all my family was/is involved in engineering, machining, drag racing so sometimes the goals are different than another.

Spending more than some, but have found that my satisfaction at the cost of $, is worth more then frustration at the point of savings. And I am getting too old to spend the time do things over. I want to have fun driving the danged things. I have spent all the time I ever want having fun working on them to work on them to have fun.

It's my POV and other's mileage may vary.

And as such, it is personal and I neither fault one, nor the other. A man will choose what is his preference and it is not my place (nor any other) to speak down to someone/anyone for choosing a different path.


I think you ask your machinist/shop/builder to provide you with all the information he can on your car, and simply tell him you want to know where you are in order to know where you can go and what it would take to go where you want to go in the future.

You might get a wide range of responses, take what you can.

 

On the rocker assemblies, look at the itemized price. $100 if they replaced the shafts only...$400 if they had the rockers re-bushed...or watch for a shower of oil with the valve covers off with the engine running.

 

@TrunkMonkey:
Thx for all the advise. I appreciate all the direction I can get.

I understand now about not doing things just to do them. I was also only kidding about breaking down. I mean I don’t like it haha but i will ask more Q’s for sure.

I have been enjoying my car. People laugh at the condition I drive her around in. But I don’t care, as long as I’m driving. I am actually gonna put some tunes in her tomorrow. Gotta have tunes right? Haha

Starting a new thread on types of oils to use in our Nailheads is a good idea. I may try that.

@322bnh:
I will be home tomorrow to check my receipt. I will say this, I do remember this, my buddy & I disconnected the coil, with valve covers off, we cranked the engine over until oil started coming out of the rocker before we fire it up for the first time. Oil seemed to “ooze” out. I would think that is what u are trying to help me figure out? It definitely was not a shower of oil.

 

I have not tried running the engine with the valve covers off yet. But my receipt says “rebuild rocker assy - $150 x2 = $300”

 

I found a few interesting facts on Russ Martin’s site about smoking Nailheads.

The most common problems that cause smoking he says is:
• worn rocker arms
• rocker arm shaft installed upside down
• PCV valve sucking up oil

 

hi, been gone for awhile,tried to post something but it did not work.need help with mc.just put dual mc on fire wall. no back brakes maybe lines stopped up,any ideas? yes and welcome new member.