Hawgdified

Just got a 76 the other day and im new to corvettes. Think this guy has been sitting for a while. Im planning on draining all the fluids but wanted to start w the oil. Its got 97,000 mi. Was curious on what was recommended for oil and how many quarts it takes. Thanks

GUSTO14

5 quarts of any good brand of 10w-30 motor oil. Havoline, Valvoline, Pennzoil, Quakerstate, etc. Also pick up a good brand of oil filter such as AC Delco, Wix, Purolator. Unless the engine has already been running on a synthetic oil, it's probably too soon to switch to it. It would be good to run it a while and check for existing leaks before deciding to use a synthetic.

Oh, and welcome to the Corvette Forum. I believe you will find it a great investment in your Corvette!

Good luck... GUSTO

mikem350

As Gusto said. But I am a fan of "hi mileage" oils. They run a little heavier, and have a better additive package for old engines.

I like to check dipstick calibration too at first oil change. It should be at full mark w/ five qts. And check hot oil pressure too. Gives an indication of motor health, and if a higher viscosity is needed

1975Coupe

Piggy backing on the same. I've got a 45K (might be 145K?) mile 75 L48 coupe. I've had it for 2 months. No visible oil leaks and it appears to run consistent oil pressure. I'm a fan of the Valvoline High Mileage oils as well. Would those be ok to use in this car?

Peterbuilt

For years I used conventional 10-W30, then there was talk that my Corvette needed more zinc so I switched over to VR-1 10-W30 racing oil.
It works fine and O'Reilly sells it by the 6 pack.

Might be a waste of time but I fill up the filter before I put it on.

After you get the new oil in and run it and check for leaks, shut it off and wait a few minutes and read the high of the oil on the stick. That's your FULL mark.

ALVETTE00

I use the high-mileage dino oil but I also add the Lucas oil stabilizer and ZDP additive to my 74. Let's face it, despite the 21,000 on the odo, the valve seals are still 42 years old. When it sat it would puff just a little on startup. Since adding the Lucas products that has stopped and I swear the ZDP has made the sound smoother.

Please note: If you have a catalytic converter, don't use the zinc. It will likely cause premature failure of your cat.

1975Coupe

What does the zinc do for the oil?

Peterbuilt

Your right! I forgot 75 and up have a cat.

ZDDP was removed from the oil and Corvette owners felt that the camshaft could wear out faster without the additive and Valvoline 10-W 30 was suggested so I've been using that for years.

https://www.google.com/#q=zddp

ddawson

Are we sure. I had a 1984 Mustang 5.0 and a 1988 RX7.

Both 100% stock and factory cat. Both with close to 100K miles.
Sold them last year and both passed the California emissions "sniffer" test with ZERO issues.

Wrecked82

I had the oil in my 82 with 160,000 miles on the motor changed with Valvoline High Mileage Dexos about 2 weeks ago. First fill up and I went from mid 14 mpg to mid 17 mpg. I think this is accurate, because I put as much fuel in the tank as it will take and religiously re-set the odometer and calculate mpg. Seems like an unreal jump, and will be checking again in about a week. But, it is what it is. Will use that from now on.

jb78L-82

ZDDP has NOT been eliminated from any oils...the ZDDP level has been REDUCED from mass market oils...mostly 5W/10W weights. The ZDDP was suspected of possibly causing premature catalytic converter failure (<100,000 miles on the cat). The standard minimum ZDDP levels now for the mass market weight oils is 800 PPM. The specialty weight oils (0W-40, 15W-50, 0W-50 etc) have considerable more ZDDP even today. Also, as noted by others above, I have 2 very high mileage DD cars with over 150,000 miles running Mobil 1 0W-40 European Formula (ZDDP 1,000 ppm) with their OEM cats. Like most of the verbage spewed by the EPA, the ZDDP reduction mandate needs to be scrutinized carefully for often other ulterior motives....mostly nonsense

1975Coupe

Well my vette has no cat. The previous owner replaced the exhaust with a true dual Allens exhaust system that goes straight to two not so quiet mufflers. The thing sounds glorious!

I did notice yesterday that it is eating a small amount of oil on startup and under heavy acceleration. I was thinking about putting in Valvoline's 10W30 High Mileage and adding a ZDDP additive. Good or bad idea?

mikem350

If it is doing what you say try Valvoline 10-40. I would not bother with the zinc, but wont hurt.

skytop

Very good advice!