Oil Change

[1970 Green Machine]

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. 

[Sam (Bones)]

it should need 5 including the filter if it is the stock original oil pan

[stangeba]

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

[1970 Green Machine]

Thank you very much Sam and Bruce!  Much appreciated! 

[71MonteCarloMD]

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.

[Leghome]

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.

[Sam (Bones)]

i AGREE WITH LARRY

 

I would stick with conventional

[Vaihlor]

Mineral oils are always better for these old tech engines, even for crate ones i guess

[Rob Peters]

I agree.... our cars don't need synthetic oil.  

rob

[71MonteCarloMD]

Thanks guys, will continue with conventional every 6 mos.

[Sam (Bones)]

conventional oil with zinc!!!!!

 

valvoline VR racing oil

[LostnFound]

conventional oil with zinc!!!!!

 

valvoline VR racing oil

I don't think that is available up here.

[LostnFound]

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

[QuadGTI]

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

[James G.]

I use Valvoline VR1 racing oil in my 454, 20W-50, for the extra zinc. It runs good, and no leaks. 

[John S]

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

[Jared Richey]

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!

[stangeba]

Anyone ever hear of ash less oil? I believe it is required for air plane engines.

Bruce

[John S]

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

[Sam (Bones)]

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

[MC-71]

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.