Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines oil grade

what oil do I use in my 49 chevy 1\2 ton stock 216cid with rod and main bearing inserts

I use a single grade sae 30 Oil during the summer here in Germany.

I also use a special additiv called "Mathy" that was developped by austrian engeneer and race driver in the 30es and was even used during the war in military planes and cars.

Here is the english link: http://www.mathy.de/english/mathe.html

Some folks my call additives a snake oil product but I´m verry happy with that combination especialy after we traveled to Italy last summer and I found out after 600 miles over the alps that I had almost no oil in the pan.

Back home we opened the engine and found no damage at all. The additiv saved my vacation and my engine.

NO I DON`T GET MONEY FOR THAT;-)

But whatever you use it is way better than any oil in 1949 your engine was made for.


Frank

The shop manual says SAE 20 for most climates and SAE30 for hot climates. I wouldn't go much thicker than that or your rods may not get lubricated well. It's easier to kill a 216 with oil that is too thick than oil that is too thin.

Castrol sells a SAE 5W20 oil that Honda specifies for their new cars, which is perfect for winter use in a 216.