Hello.

As its been roughly three months since my last oil change I'm planning on doing one here in the next week or two. I don't mean to start another "oil" thread but I'm wondering if I should use a heavier grade oil. At the moment I'm using Castrol GTX 10W40 with a Fram XG filter. I was debating going to 20W50 Valvoline VR1 oil as I've read on a number of threads that Z's like Zinc. What is your opinion on this change?

I don't like synthetics as I change my oil way too often to be spending so much money on. (I do it every 3K or 3 months.. I guess that would be the old school way). I live in Tucson so the temp here rarely drops below 30 in the winter and in the summer it isn't unusual to have it hit 110+.

Thanks

Jan

Houston is about the same latitude as is Tucson and I can highly recommend Royal Purple 20W50. These old engines typically have a bit more clearance than more modern mills and the heavier viscosity is beneficial to their longevity.

Frank

I read that last thread about the zinc content and ordered the VR1 10W30 from JEGs. The engine is running very smooth and quiet. I think mileage will help dictate which weight you run. My car has low miles so I am sticking with 10W30 for a while. If I can't find a source for Swepco, I'll keep running the VR1 oil with the NAPA gold filter or a Nissan filter.

Why are you considering moving to 20W50? Is it using oil? Oil pressure not quite right?

Well I have no real reasoning behind it. I was just thinking that the heavier grade oil would be beneficial to the engine. The Z isn't burning any oil to my knowledge as the exhaust is clear and smells of fuel. I most likely leak about a quart or so of oil from the bad oil pan gasket I have.

I really would like to start using VR1 as I'm thinking it would be nice for the motor. For what I can tell the car's been abused for the past couple of years by the PO.

Jan

I use 20/50 and a Wix filter.I wouldn't use a FRAM filter on Charles Mansons lawnmower.Here in Tucson,10/30 or 10/40 is too thin.

I run 20w50GTX and/or Rotella 20w50 and recently started adding Zinc to her diet...

Hello.

As its been roughly three months since my last oil change I'm planning on doing one here in the next week or two. I don't mean to start another "oil" thread but I'm wondering if I should use a heavier grade oil. At the moment I'm using Castrol GTX 10W40 with a Fram XG filter. I was debating going to 20W50 Valvoline VR1 oil as I've read on a number of threads that Z's like Zinc. What is your opinion on this change?

I don't like synthetics as I change my oil way too often to be spending so much money on. (I do it every 3K or 3 months.. I guess that would be the old school way). I live in Tucson so the temp here rarely drops below 30 in the winter and in the summer it isn't unusual to have it hit 110+.

Thanks

Jan

i run that vr1 20w50 through a k&n filter here in so cal; car seems to like it- nice and smooth. 10w seems a bit thin for the inland heat. vr1 is easy to find and cheap too.