1970 Green Machine Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Hello everyone. In a couple of weeks I am looking at changing the oil in my Monte Carlo for the first time. It's a 454 big block, very stock looking / appearing engine and parts. After doing some research, I keep finding different answers for how many quarts of oil that 454's take. The average I see is answers such as "7 quarts with filter" or "8 quarts with filter." So my question is, how much oil does my 454 take? Engine block shows a letter P, (I'm assuming for meaning that the engine was in a passenger car, not quite sure), followed by the numbers 361959. Attached is an EXAMPLE picture of my oil pan, very similar but not the exact one, that's on my car- if that helps at all. Thanks to everyone who views this. All help is appreciated greatly. Kevin G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 it should need 5 including the filter if it is the stock original oil pan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 That's what I was going to say. Put in 5, start it up for a minute, then shut it off, wait and check it. My 71 350 with 5 and a filter change reads slightly over full. 4-1/2 would probably be to the full mark perhaps because of the small oil filters as compared to what the older engines used. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970 Green Machine Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 Thank you very much Sam and Bruce! Much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71MonteCarloMD Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Guys, hope I'm not hijacking this thread as I was wondering about conventional vs synthetic oil, what would be best for our original engine? My 350 was rebuilt by previous owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I would stick with conventional if it was mine. I switched to synthetic on my 72 with a 350 crate motor that was installed in 2005. Synthetic will go places that regular oil will not. I developed a couple of leaks and the engine started using a little oil. I just had that crate motor rebuilt and my builder recommended 10W/30W Valvolene but that is his preference but mine also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 i AGREE WITH LARRY I would stick with conventional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaihlor Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Mineral oils are always better for these old tech engines, even for crate ones i guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Peters Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I agree.... our cars don't need synthetic oil. rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71MonteCarloMD Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Thanks guys, will continue with conventional every 6 mos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 conventional oil with zinc!!!!! valvoline VR racing oil 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostnFound Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 conventional oil with zinc!!!!! valvoline VR racing oil I don't think that is available up here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostnFound Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Thought I already posted this but I don't see it so here it is again. I use Castrol GTX 10w30 conventional with a Comp Cams additive to protect my flat tappet cam. Cheers, Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuadGTI Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 I don't think that is available up here. Try Performance Improvements Joe Gibbs oil, it ha zinc in it https://performanceimprovements.com/search?type=product&q=joe+gibbs+zinc+oil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G. Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 I use Valvoline VR1 racing oil in my 454, 20W-50, for the extra zinc. It runs good, and no leaks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 conventional oil with zinc!!!!! valvoline VR racing oil Did you run the VR 1 oil in the blue 4 spd you sold ? If you did was it 20W-50 or 10W-30? John S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Richey Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 I run VR1 in my red car with built 454, and the 72 I bought this year that has a new engine, but I run synthetic in everything else, including white 70 original 350, and my 99 blazer, I run my blazer at about 5000 miles on an oil change with synthetic, I just use Walmart super tech synthetic, to me any name brand synthetic or name brand oil at all is just wasting money... but I am a believer in the VR1 high zink oil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Anyone ever hear of ash less oil? I believe it is required for air plane engines. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Hate to beat a dead horse but I have a simple yes or no question. Is it acceptable to use Valvoline VR 1 20W- 50 conventional in my stock 300hp 350? John S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Hate to beat a dead horse but I have a simple yes or no question. Is it acceptable to use Valvoline VR 1 20W- 50 conventional in my stock 300hp 350? John S you'd better off using 10W30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC-71 Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I always use 20W50 Valvoline Race Oil for street use and not the track type. I also have a 350 300HP. This weight is better for summer driving like the 95 degree temps we are getting now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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