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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
I know this has probably been discussed.. did a search and didn’t find anything..
So I just changed my oil.. first time for me with this car
-original owner changed it at 31k
-my buddy who painted it changed it when it sat in shop
-I just changed it at 32k
I went with Dino because there was overwhelming response from mechanics I knew that Mobil 1 in a non-rebuilt low mile engine would be asking for leaks..
My question is, anyone else find that the dipstick is full after 4.5 quarts?
Could have sworn my previous 3rd gens were 5 quarts.
I filled the Filter before installing and poured the rest up top. Then another 3.5 quarts.
Manual says 5 quarts with a filter change. Your mechanics are wrong on synthetics causing leaks I have used synthetics for 25 years with no leaks except burned out gaskets. The SBC is notorious for burning out valve cover gaskets in the center above the siamesed exhaust ports due to the heat in the area being higher than on non siamesed heads. That happens regardless of the oil you use. High mileage engines with hard, heat cycled gaskets will eventually leak. Newer engines with better silicone gaskets and tighter tolerances are less prone to leaks but will still eventually leak.
I always thought 5 quarts, but this thing is full with 4.5.. I’ll keep checking it.. I even looked up the part number on the dipstick and it checks out..
Providing the dipstick and tube are OEM, it's full when the oil level reaches the full mark on the dipstick. An extra half quart into the pan to empty the container so you don't have 1/2 quart sitting around isn't going to hurt it.
My race car is a little different. The BBC has the dipstick in the pan, not in the block like a SBC. Easy to figure out oil level when the pan is off the engine. I leveled the pan then filled it with oil to where I wanted it in the pan (below the crank). I then modified the dipstick tube so that the fill level on the dipstick was at the oil level in the pan. With a deep sump pan, it's mostly all in the sump.
Since you don't have that luxury to see where the oil level is, put 5 quarts into the pan. Start the engine to make sure the filter is completely filled then shut off the engine and allow the oil a little time to drain back into the pan. Recheck the level on the dipstick. Remark the dipstick to where the 5 quarts sits and use that mark as your full mark.
Thanks.. was thinking of putting the other 1/2 quart in.. figured it wouldn’t hurt..
I always check the dipstick just to be sure. I ran the engine, let sit 5 min and still read full. It’s definitey OEM original dipstick and tube. Found part numbers and checked..
I know there’s a debate with the synthetic oil causing leaks, but last guy I talked to said, “It’s a low mile engine with original seals and gaskets.. it was built expecting to hold conventional oil so I wouldn’t chance it with synthetic..”
Basically if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it..
Car doesn’t leak at all so I’m not messing with it.. 32k miles and mechanically checks out.. only thing he found was alignment was a little off..
Yeah I'm a big proponent of synthetic oil (Amsoil dealer). My Z ran synthetics since new for 275,000 miles (also built for dino oil) till the 700R4 trans died and I got the LS virus so I pulled a perfectly good motor sold it to a friend and started this LS upgrade I'm in the middle of.
Are you using the oil filter recommended 'by the book'? Or are you using a normal PF35/1218 like a sane person? The stock filter reduces the oil capacity, the larger filter increases the capacity.
Are you using the oil filter recommended 'by the book'? Or are you using a normal PF35/1218 like a sane person? The stock filter reduces the oil capacity, the larger filter increases the capacity.
I always used the larger filter for a 350 in a pick-up I believe, it hangs lower but anything that would hit it would hit the oil pan too. Whatever Amsoil recommended for the 1st gen 350 in a P/U. I also did a 10,000 mile oil and filter change with a filter change and a top off at 5,000 miles.
Since he's using dino oil I'd go with a WIX filter for the P/U and do a 5,000 mile oil change.
Are you using the oil filter recommended 'by the book'? Or are you using a normal PF35/1218 like a sane person? The stock filter reduces the oil capacity, the larger filter increases the capacity.
I’m using a Wix to match the PF35.. They offered me the taller one, but considering the original exhaust pipe looks like it got a good scrape at some point I don’t really want the filter hanging lower than that.. I always thought the taller filter was for trucks..
Nothing like a surprise speed bump in one of these cars when you’re not paying attention..
The filter 'by the book' is the PF25. The PF35 or 1218 is about twice as long, but even with the stock oil cooler it's not going to be a problem. There are longer still versions, that would probably be a problem.
The filter 'by the book' is the PF25. The PF35 or 1218 is about twice as long, but even with the stock oil cooler it's not going to be a problem. There are longer still versions, that would probably be a problem.
I have been using a PH-30 for my 305 TPI. I guess the 25, 30, 35 the difference is the size of the filter? I can see where this would effect the oil level on the stick.
My mistake.. I got the shorty size that I always used to get.. maybe that’s what it’s a half quart less.. but even with this size it used to take 5 quarts I believe.. Dipstick reads full and it’s running great so I guess I’m good.. maybe I used to just put 5 quarts and not read the stick..
I have been using a PH-30 for my 305 TPI. I guess the 25, 30, 35 the difference is the size of the filter? I can see where this would effect the oil level on the stick.
Not necessarily. In AC Delco filters, the PF25 is a half quart filter, and the PF35 is a 1 quart filter. Of course GM superseded the PF25 with the PF454? and PF35 with the PF1218, but they're pretty much the same filter.
Not sure how other brands compare, or which would interchange. Pretty sure the owners manual shows 4.5 quarts capacity with the PF25 filter
Nope It shows 5 qts. Using the PF35 it would read about a half qt. low but is not going to be a big deal. After the oil change run the engine to top off the filter shut it down and let the engine sit for about 5 mins. and top off your oil to full on the dip stick from there.
06-01-2018, 08:24 PM
