c6miller

How often are you changing your oil/filter. I'm using VR-1, 10W30. It will be a year and about 500 miles. The oil on the dipstick still looks fresh. Am I wrong to think waiting two years between changes is okay ? Thanks, Peter

Bluestripe67

I change anywhere between 2500-3000 which works out to be 1 1/2 yrs. Sometimes it's changed based on the season. Although I drive mine year around. I use Shell Rotella 15/40. Dennis

jforb

I think the only reason to really stick to a time based schedule might be if there is enough humidity that it has a condensation problem...

I don't worry about time, living in the dry southwest.

Also consider the small risk of things going wonky when changing the oil, maybe it's wise to not do it too often?

ChrisBlair

From 1989 until 2020 I owned a classic GM built in 1969. I put more than 375000 miles on it, about 75K on the original engine and then about 300,000 on the engine I built for it.

Try not to over think this. The L79 is a good engine. Oil changes are normal and easy maintenance. Personally, in the 21st century with classics I ran often I went 5K miles. Which meant oil change when it came out of storage, and then mid way through the season, maybe first week in August. Where you live might influence this, might not, but damaging something during an oil change has never once crossed my mind in the 35 years I've played with 1960s and 1970s GM products.

I see oil change services today went people back in 2500, 3000 miles. They just want your money.

Duck916

SWCDuke, who knows a lot about engines and oil, recommended oil changes every two years if the car has not accumulated enough miles to otherwise need an oil change. That's what I follow.

If you're going on miles, I'd agree with Chris's suggestion of 5000 or so being an approprite number.

ditchdigger650

I usually change mine every couple of years, I only put on around 500 miles a year or less.
You hear things like change it every year regardless of miles because the oil loses its viscosity.
I’m not sure about that. Others will weigh in on that.

The Former

My owner's manual on my 71 LT1 says 6000 mile intervals between oil changes.

Steve Stone

I change my oil and filter at 3,500 miles unless we are on a trip of around 4,000 miles. I will do the change when we return home if the trip is 4,000 miles or less. If the trip is more than 4,000 miles, I take my oil and filter with us and do the change before the 4,000 mile mark. My current engine has 221,000 miles on it and oil mileage is still acceptable. It is a rebuilt 350, 400 HP, 10 to 1 engine. I use Wix spin on filters and Valvoline Daily Protection 10W-30 Conventional Motor Oil.

Safe travels and good health to all,
Steve Stone (original owner, '63 triple black convertible, 625,000 miles)

road pilot

Op wait a year if you are not driving much.

JohnnyRay

The issue with not changing oil is the combination of combustion byproducts reacting with moisture in the crankcase, which then becomes acidic and can eat at bearings, cylinder walls, etc. If you have long drive cycles (ie - getting the engine hot enough for long enough to dispel the moisture) then you are in a better position to consider extending the time interval of your oil changes. Annual changes are safest, but I agree that the low number of miles we put on our cars makes it seem like overkill...