I recently had the engine rebuilt in my ‘63 LeSabre wagon (401 nail head). What oil should I use? I prefer to use OEM oil filters. Is there a current GM oil filter that will work?
I use NAPA 1049/WIX 51049 and Joe Gibbs Driven HR2 10w-30. AC-Delco PF24 would be the OEM. Several of the classic car vendors sell the white PF24 filters, but about 3 times price.
Based on what I can see the Puralator Boss might be the top filter these days. I have always been a Wix/Napa Gold guy but the media in the boss looks to be the best. Truth is, if you swap it frequently, they are all pretty good.
Yes, Valvoline Racing Oil VR1 is on the shelf locally. NAPA Gold filters are local too. Don't start your engine without zinc in any old flat tappet car or truck.
Problem with Rotella is that it lacks anti-foaming agents, for high rpm use in gasoline engines. And they have dramatically reduced their zinc levels from previous blends. Before there was Joe Gibbs Driven, we were using Rotella back in the early 2000's.. until we witnessed the oil foaming situation, and realized that diesel engines don't operate at high rpm, and the anti-foaming additive is left out of those oils. Since the Gibbs stuff came out, we switched to that elusively in our engine program, as well as our customer street and race cars that we support/service, and have been very happy with that product. JW
I use Driven H2 in my nailhead and the BBB, (even though the BBB has roller cam and roller rockers and some may think it's overkill).
Nope, not overkill.. the extreme pressure lubes in the oil help every metal to metal contact area in the engine. And the HR oil has a great storage additive, that makes it cling to the inside of the engine, to keep a film of oil on everything, preventing corrosion during extended periods of inactivity. JW
They aren't cheap but I like the System One filters. Great filtration and I can check the element easily each oil change to look for issues.
If they have, it has been within the last year. I called Shell about a year ago and asked about the zinc; they said that it still was high in zinc and that they hadn't changed the Rotella formula in more then 10 years.
Actually Jim, I called Shell about five minutes ago and they have not reduced the zddp content of Rotella. It's 1200 ppm, the same as it has been for years. As the whole reason that I installed the Nail in my pickup is for bottom-end torque, the lack of anti-foaming agents isn't a concern for me. In other applications I can understand why Rotella might not be the best lubricant choice.
Recently changed a cylinder head on my 322 (crack at a valve guide). Checked the cam and lifters which were pristine. Cylinders still have hone marks. 150,000 miles on Castrol 20w-50. I will get back to you when I have to open the engine again.
For some strange reason, I have become very interested in this topic as it pertains to Rotella. I have discovered (much to my surprise) that Rotella does contain relatively high levels of phosphorus which is good for your engine, but not good for catalytic converters; Rotella is not recommended for gasoline engines equipped with a cat, except that the 15-W-40 may be used in engines with pre-2011 converters.
I use Hr2 10/30 Wix Gold filter. If you think it’s too expensive to use,wait till you need to rebuild your nailhead. Rotella is for diesels.
Not totally true. While it is formulated primarily for diesels, the oil doesn't know what kind of an engine that it is in. If Rotella is operating in any engine in the same temperature range and the same pressure range as a Diesel - what's the problem? Actually the stresses are probably lower in my Nailhead then they would be in a heavy or supercharged Diesel. BTW: Since I have had this engine rebuilt twice (the first overhaul was botched and it was using Amile motor oil which was not the reason for the second overhaul) there are few members on this forum who have better firsthand knowledge of what it costs to do a proper overhaul on a big Nailhead then I. Right Tom? Update: This from Shell: "Shell Rotella T4 plus also meets requirements for diesel and gasoline engines...".
