What motor oil do you guys run in your classic Buick?

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick "gotta luv' d'em engines" types,

I'm suffering from way too many choices when it comes to motor oils.  I've come to agree with the recommendation that you should buy a motor oil that is specifically formulated for engines of the 1960s rather than buying a modern oil and using additives that include things like ZDDP.  Since the engine in my trusty wagon has a racing pedigree, I've been using a racing type oil: Joe Gibbs HR Conventional 10W-30:

http://www.drivenracingoil.com/dro/hr2-conventional-10w-156html/

According to Randal (the silver Buick on V-8 Buick,) these oils need to be replaced every 1000 miles because the additives aren't formulated to last longer than that.  It seems a bit odd, but perhaps that is reasonable for a engine that is exposed to the stresses of racing.

My trusty wagon is no racer and the engine rarely gets over 3000 RPM.  So I have the feeling I'm using the wrong oil for my application.  So what are you guys who just drive your mid-60s Buick using for oil?  Have you guys narrowed down on a better choice for an oil formulated for engines of this period and intended for just driving around rather than racing?

Curious minds want to know!

Cheers, Edouard 

[Brian]

The Joe Gibbs Racing oil is non-detergent, that is why they say to change it at 1000 miles.  Same thing with the Valvoline conventional racing oil that NAPA sells. 
   I run Shell Rotella 10w-30 along with a bottle of comp-cams break in additive (ZDDP additive).  You can get the break in additive from Summit Racing for about $12 a bottle. 

[dsags]

Brad Penn in whatever viscosity you like. Comes with zinc in the formula.

Dan

[66nailhead]

I run amsoil zrod in my buicks 10-30wt. In my new engine I just built for my special I'm running joe Gibbs hr2 conventional. I'll switch it to synthetic once get some miles on her.


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[Buick_65]

The Driven oils are not non-detergent, they just contain less detergents and more friction modifiers.  The HR (hot rod) oils are specifically formulated for engines that sit for long periods between work. 

I too am running the HR dino oil and will likely switch to Synth after a full season of driving. 

[GS66]

I run Castrol or Kendall but add a bottle of Zddp also.

[Starc Traxler]

I run Joe Gibbs in my 3 buicks and the other 7 cars I mantain

[elagache]

Dear Brian, Dan, Dan, Buick_65, Jim, Starc Traxler, and mid-60s Buick "give 'em luvin' oil" engine fans,

Hmm, well there is definitely a consensus toward Joe Gibbs!

So how many miles do you guys go between oil changes when you use Joe Gibbs HR oils?

Brad Penn in whatever viscosity you like. Comes with zinc in the formula.

That's the other brand I've heard.  Hmm, their website is a bit weak:

http://www.penngrade.com/

It doesn't list the available viscosity choices.  However, put a search engine to work and . . . . well now, plenty of courses including the synthetic blends that seemed like an interesting compromise.

Oh well, it is a bit late in the day, but clearly I need to do some more research!

Thanks guys for the responses!! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[cwmcobra]

I'm with Dan.  I'll be running Brad Penn in my cars.

Chuck

[GreatScat1965]

For what it's worth, I also use Bran Penn 10W30. And do most of the really fast BBB cars.

Jerry

[35chevcoupe]

Brad Penn for me too . My race engine builder recommends it , he even has me run a bottle of Lucas engine oil break in additive . ( which is basically a zinc additive )
Its probably not needed in a factory muscle or classic car engines but  under the Extreme pressures and high rpm,s its highly recommended in racing applications .
I doubt nailheads will ever see 9000 rpm.

[cwmcobra]

I doubt nailheads will ever see 9000 rpm.

I know mine won't!!!   

Chuck

[Rollaround]

At nine grand parts of my nailhead would be in the next county.

[GS66]

I think you can get them up to over 7,000, once.

[elagache]

Dear Chuck, Jerry, John, Kevin, Jim, and mid-60s "gotta 'luv dat engine" types,

Brad Penn for me too . My race engine builder recommends it . . .

Well your engine builder has some good company.  Mike Tomaszewski, owner of TA-Performance, also mentioned Brad Penn as his first choice.  Although Joe Gibbs was Mike's #2 backup.

For what it's worth, I also use Bran Penn 10W30. And do most of the really fast BBB cars.

. . . Well that's okay for fast BBB cars, but what is the best oil for "assertive" family station wagons? . . .

Seriously, I'll go for the 10W-30, but which kind of oil?  Are you guys more into exploiting dinosaurs, synthetic oils, or dino/synthetic blends?   It seems Brad Penn gives you all 3 choices.

One curious wagon owner would like to know!

Cheers, Edouard