Thread: chevy 216 six cylinder

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What type of oil should I be running in a 1950 216 Chevrolet six cylinder engine. I have been told different things, thought someone could set me straight.

Cosmo

If I can remember back to the last one I had in the shop, the factory manual (owner had it with the car) called for something like a straight 20W. With advances in oil I'd suggest a 10W30 modern blend (not synthetic). Expect it to make 15lbs of pressure (that is all a stock 6 cylinder made back then) and you'll be fine just as long as the engine is in good running order. I also suggest a compression check, you should be reading 110 at all 6 cylinders, or within 5-10% up or down for a normal "aged" original motor.


Hope you find this helpful.



Bill S.

I run 10W30 in my '51 235 which is the same engine just diffrent displacement. it calls for 20 or 30w by the manual and use non detergent 30 weight if you don't have an oil filter. they idle around 5-8 PSI oil press and usually read just over 1/2 gauge at cruise. which is just about 15 PSI... crank it over without ignition, to get the oil pump going then fire it up

If the oil has not been changed regularly I would use 30# non detergent as thats what was used in them years ago,if you use detergent oil in a motor that is quite dirty it will loosen up the crud and cause problems. If the motor is really dirty I would suggest pulling the valve and side cover and drop the oil pan and give it a good cleaning and then you can use the modern detergent oils,I have neen using 30# detergent oil in a 57 235 thats in my 37 p/u but it was rebuilt and I know its clean. If its clean 30# detergent oil in the summer will be just fine.

Originally Posted by junkyardjeff

If the oil has not been changed regularly I would use 30# non detergent as thats what was used in them years ago,if you use detergent oil in a motor that is quite dirty it will loosen up the crud and cause problems. If the motor is really dirty I would suggest pulling the valve and side cover and drop the oil pan and give it a good cleaning and then you can use the modern detergent oils,I have neen using 30# detergent oil in a 57 235 thats in my 37 p/u but it was rebuilt and I know its clean. If its clean 30# detergent oil in the summer will be just fine.

yep you do not run detergent in a old engine thats has allways had non detergent in it this is a big NO NO and as no ZDDP in it as well .if any zinc on the wear parts cam lifter s etc the detergent could strip it or block it if you added a can to the oil . detergents have gone up in the past years in oil and do not add any help on older engines some of the old oil gets in the blocks its like moly past even in the hot for 24 hours that stuff hang on if it start s working loose inside the engine it could be bad news