[CutlassKid85]

What type of oil would you all recommend for my 86RC 360ci with 87,000 miles. What are the advantages of using one brand of another brand. The last time I change the oil on my RC I was overwhelmed by all the different brands and types of oil at the autoparts store .

Thanx

 

[luke9-1-1]

Well, I think there has been much discussion on this topic before. If memory serves me, I think the majority of responses indicated that quaker state or pennzoil were not very well thought of and valvoline was. Of course, if you're not using or losing alot, synthetic oils vs petroleum-based oils are going to be the way to go, at least, in my mind anyway. Not sure what the best brand of synthetic is..........................

 

[Monsta® aka Mudshark]

It's all really what YOU want to do. Personally I like using Pennzoil in my wife's van, Napa brand in the other car and synthetic in the 78 RC.

 

[Evildriver-3]

I use Mobil 1, but would also use Red line or Amsoil synthetic oils

 

[Smokey]

Nowadays, any oil that meets the API SF or better spec, in other words, just about any oil you'll find on the shelf, will do the job. There are people who will defend "their brand" against all comers, but that's mostly marketing, not based on critical differences.

I've always ran Pennzoil, since 1963, in everything from flatheads to big blocks, and have not experienced an oil related engine failure. The one time I did run Valvoline (in a 66 425hp 427 Vette), I lost an engine, but that was due to a rod bolt breaking, not the Valvoline. My Dad has always run Quaker State (he's 83) and hasn't wasted any engines....

The main concern is that you change it frequently (unless you run synthetic oil), never let it run low for extended time, and use good oil filters...

 

[awyseguy]

Well said. I run Mobil 1 in my turbo, QS in my RC, my Dak, and her Lumina, and Castrol GTX in her Olds. Ran Kendall in my RoadRunner. My grandfater was also an avid believer in QS, insisted on it for all his cars and for the trucks at the fire station.
As long as your're keeping it clean, and of a proper weight for the conditions. Brand isn't as critical.
Aaron

 

[Evildriver-3]

I've always ran Pennzoil, since 1963, in everything from flatheads to big blocks, and have not experienced an oil related engine failure. The one time I did run Valvoline (in a 66 425hp 427 Vette), I lost an engine, but that was due to a rod bolt breaking, not the Valvoline. My Dad has always run Quaker State (he's 83) and hasn't wasted any engines....

The main concern is that you change it frequently (unless you run synthetic oil), never let it run low for extended time, and use good oil filters...

How do you know when you poured that valvoline in that it didn't have little gremlins in it with adjustable wrenches? did you look?

 

[cooper30]

lol ED

Unless my motor lubes the chassis (aka leaks), I use Mobil 1. If it leaks I use the cheapest oil on the shelf till I fix the leak.

 

[Bummo]

I run vegetable oil in mine, but I dont recommend it. It makes my truck smell like a McDonalds, and all the seagulls follow me everywhere. I spend 3 hours a day washing bird crap off my hood. But hey, I respect the environment.

 

[Monsta® aka Mudshark]

How do you know when you poured that valvoline in that it didn't have little gremlins in it with adjustable wrenches? did you look?

How do we know your not the one who put the gremlins in the valvoline

 

[ChevyToughRam1983]

i only run mobil 1 15w50, or castrol gtx 20w50, too warm here in south texas to run anything thinner

 

[flr0meo]

i think i heard somewhere synthetic isnt too good for older vehicles.

 

[awyseguy]

I spent the summer helping out at my brother in law at his shop in Florida this summer.. he puts Castrol 20w-50 in everything.. Damn fool killed a Quad-4 we'd just rebuilt by feeding it that instead of the 5w-30 it needed.. Motor better be built pretty loose or well broken in for 20w-50.. in my opinion.. I only use it on high mileage, or big leakers.
Aaron

 

[57plymouth]

I use Mobil 1 in everything, the flathead, the turbo PT, the Truck, the Tractor, the lawnmower, everything. Of course, I don't have any that mark their territory right now.

 

[Ram]

I spent the summer helping out at my brother in law at his shop in Florida this summer.. he puts Castrol 20w-50 in everything.. Damn fool killed a Quad-4 we'd just rebuilt by feeding it that instead of the 5w-30 it needed.. Motor better be built pretty loose or well broken in for 20w-50.. in my opinion.. I only use it on high mileage, or big leakers.
Aaron

I also ran Castrol 20w-50 in everything, until I got my 2003 Quad Cab. That thing just does not like the 20/50 so bumped it down to 10w-30 even though it recommends 5w-30.

I only run Castrol non-synthetics/blends. I don't see that a 1986 360 is going to benifet any at all from all the synthetic or blends. It will just cost more in the long run.

Use a good brand oil filter too, not a Fram they are junk with a pretty paint job an thats being nice. Purolator and Wix are good filters, change your oil filter with every oil change.

 

[Evildriver-3]

How do you know when you poured that valvoline in that it didn't have little gremlins in it with adjustable wrenches? did you look?

How do we know your not the one who put the gremlins in the valvoline

Well for years i have been looking for them, i would even offer them a job and we can work together, kinda like this : "pssst hey gremlin go help that fiero over there, yep that's it the 1 with the guy in a dress standing next to it, yeah yeah ok kilt whatever go get to work".

Lol we could be unstoppable.

 

[Monsta® aka Mudshark]

Well for years i have been looking for them, i would even offer them a job and we can work together, kinda like this : "pssst hey gremlin go help that fiero over there, yep that's it the 1 with the guy in a dress standing next to it, yeah yeah ok kilt whatever go get to work".
Lol we could be unstoppable

And of course you would just happen to be there to fix it for a charge...

 

[Evildriver-3]

Well for years i have been looking for them, i would even offer them a job and we can work together, kinda like this : "pssst hey gremlin go help that fiero over there, yep that's it the 1 with the guy in a dress standing next to it, yeah yeah ok kilt whatever go get to work".
Lol we could be unstoppable

And of course you would just happen to be there to fix it for a charge...

No!! lol, race it for money!

 

[SeahawkDodge]

Nowadays, any oil that meets the API SF or better spec, in other words, just about any oil you'll find on the shelf, will do the job. There are people who will defend "their brand" against all comers, but that's mostly marketing, not based on critical differences.

I've always ran Pennzoil, since 1963, in everything from flatheads to big blocks, and have not experienced an oil related engine failure. The one time I did run Valvoline (in a 66 425hp 427 Vette), I lost an engine, but that was due to a rod bolt breaking, not the Valvoline. My Dad has always run Quaker State (he's 83) and hasn't wasted any engines....

The main concern is that you change it frequently (unless you run synthetic oil), never let it run low for extended time, and use good oil filters...

I have actually seen Penzoil cause damage to an engine, serious damage. My mother had her oil changed at a local "jiffy" lube in her 66 Mustang. They put penzoil in it. One day while driving it (it was 100+ degrees outside) it started knocking. She drove it for a couple more days like that, until it got really bad. She ended up limping it to the closest phone and called a tow truck.

Once the mechanic got it in his shop, he went to drain the oil, but nothing drained out. He asked when the last time she had the oil changed was, and it had been about a week and a half according to the sticker. Once he dropped the pan he found that the oil had turned to gel and didn't protect the engine in any way. The block had to be rebored and honed and completely rebuilt. Penzoil refused to pay for it until we got a lawyer and filed suit.

I don't use Pissoil, and I never will.
One more thing, Penzoil Synthetic contains PTFE, which accellerates wear and clogs engines. Don't use anything in your engine or transmission that contains PTFE, and that includes Fram superguard or whatever they are.

I have heard good things about Quaker State oils (non-synthetic), but have never used them. Any synthetic is going to be a pretty good oil (except penzoil) as long as it doesn't have PTFE.
I use Valvoline SynPower in every vehicle I own, and Wix filters, but it is just personal preference.

 

[dodgecharger]

I don't think there is a bit of difference in any oil anymore but out of preference i use either mobil or valvoline. I also use Wix filters exclusively.