Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
I know this has probably been discussed.. did a search and didn’t find anything..
So I just changed my oil.. first time for me with this car
-original owner changed it at 31k
-my buddy who painted it changed it when it sat in shop
-I just changed it at 32k
I went with Dino because there was overwhelming response from mechanics I knew that Mobil 1 in a non-rebuilt low mile engine would be asking for leaks..
My question is, anyone else find that the dipstick is full after 4.5 quarts?
Could have sworn my previous 3rd gens were 5 quarts.
I filled the Filter before installing and poured the rest up top. Then another 3.5 quarts.
Just wondering..
So I just changed my oil.. first time for me with this car
-original owner changed it at 31k
-my buddy who painted it changed it when it sat in shop
-I just changed it at 32k
I went with Dino because there was overwhelming response from mechanics I knew that Mobil 1 in a non-rebuilt low mile engine would be asking for leaks..
My question is, anyone else find that the dipstick is full after 4.5 quarts?
Could have sworn my previous 3rd gens were 5 quarts.
I filled the Filter before installing and poured the rest up top. Then another 3.5 quarts.
Just wondering..
#2
Senior Member
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
Manual says 5 quarts with a filter change. Your mechanics are wrong on synthetics causing leaks I have used synthetics for 25 years with no leaks except burned out gaskets. The SBC is notorious for burning out valve cover gaskets in the center above the siamesed exhaust ports due to the heat in the area being higher than on non siamesed heads. That happens regardless of the oil you use. High mileage engines with hard, heat cycled gaskets will eventually leak. Newer engines with better silicone gaskets and tighter tolerances are less prone to leaks but will still eventually leak.
Last edited by 92BLKL98; 06-01-2018 at 08:51 PM.
#3
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
I always thought 5 quarts, but this thing is full with 4.5.. I’ll keep checking it.. I even looked up the part number on the dipstick and it checks out..
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,169
Likes: 0
Received 136 Likes
on
114 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
Providing the dipstick and tube are OEM, it's full when the oil level reaches the full mark on the dipstick. An extra half quart into the pan to empty the container so you don't have 1/2 quart sitting around isn't going to hurt it.
My race car is a little different. The BBC has the dipstick in the pan, not in the block like a SBC. Easy to figure out oil level when the pan is off the engine. I leveled the pan then filled it with oil to where I wanted it in the pan (below the crank). I then modified the dipstick tube so that the fill level on the dipstick was at the oil level in the pan. With a deep sump pan, it's mostly all in the sump.
Since you don't have that luxury to see where the oil level is, put 5 quarts into the pan. Start the engine to make sure the filter is completely filled then shut off the engine and allow the oil a little time to drain back into the pan. Recheck the level on the dipstick. Remark the dipstick to where the 5 quarts sits and use that mark as your full mark.
My race car is a little different. The BBC has the dipstick in the pan, not in the block like a SBC. Easy to figure out oil level when the pan is off the engine. I leveled the pan then filled it with oil to where I wanted it in the pan (below the crank). I then modified the dipstick tube so that the fill level on the dipstick was at the oil level in the pan. With a deep sump pan, it's mostly all in the sump.
Since you don't have that luxury to see where the oil level is, put 5 quarts into the pan. Start the engine to make sure the filter is completely filled then shut off the engine and allow the oil a little time to drain back into the pan. Recheck the level on the dipstick. Remark the dipstick to where the 5 quarts sits and use that mark as your full mark.
#5
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
Thanks.. was thinking of putting the other 1/2 quart in.. figured it wouldn’t hurt..
I always check the dipstick just to be sure. I ran the engine, let sit 5 min and still read full. It’s definitey OEM original dipstick and tube. Found part numbers and checked..
I know there’s a debate with the synthetic oil causing leaks, but last guy I talked to said, “It’s a low mile engine with original seals and gaskets.. it was built expecting to hold conventional oil so I wouldn’t chance it with synthetic..”
Basically if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it..
Car doesn’t leak at all so I’m not messing with it.. 32k miles and mechanically checks out.. only thing he found was alignment was a little off..
I always check the dipstick just to be sure. I ran the engine, let sit 5 min and still read full. It’s definitey OEM original dipstick and tube. Found part numbers and checked..
I know there’s a debate with the synthetic oil causing leaks, but last guy I talked to said, “It’s a low mile engine with original seals and gaskets.. it was built expecting to hold conventional oil so I wouldn’t chance it with synthetic..”
Basically if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it..
Car doesn’t leak at all so I’m not messing with it.. 32k miles and mechanically checks out.. only thing he found was alignment was a little off..
#6
Senior Member
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
Yeah I'm a big proponent of synthetic oil (Amsoil dealer). My Z ran synthetics since new for 275,000 miles (also built for dino oil) till the 700R4 trans died and I got the LS virus so I pulled a perfectly good motor sold it to a friend and started this LS upgrade I'm in the middle of.
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Member
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
Since he's using dino oil I'd go with a WIX filter for the P/U and do a 5,000 mile oil change.
#9
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
Nothing like a surprise speed bump in one of these cars when you’re not paying attention..
#11
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Meriden, CT 06450
Posts: 4,036
Received 518 Likes
on
432 Posts
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
There are longer still versions, that would probably be a problem.
2 quart filter.
2 quart filter.
#13
Supreme Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,737
Received 258 Likes
on
198 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 Auburn
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
I have been using a PH-30 for my 305 TPI. I guess the 25, 30, 35 the difference is the size of the filter? I can see where this would effect the oil level on the stick.
#14
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 2,406
Received 191 Likes
on
129 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
My mistake.. I got the shorty size that I always used to get.. maybe that’s what it’s a half quart less.. but even with this size it used to take 5 quarts I believe.. Dipstick reads full and it’s running great so I guess I’m good.. maybe I used to just put 5 quarts and not read the stick..
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
Not sure how other brands compare, or which would interchange. Pretty sure the owners manual shows 4.5 quarts capacity with the PF25 filter
#16
Senior Member
Re: Oil capacity? 4.5 quarts?
Nope It shows 5 qts. Using the PF35 it would read about a half qt. low but is not going to be a big deal. After the oil change run the engine to top off the filter shut it down and let the engine sit for about 5 mins. and top off your oil to full on the dip stick from there.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bowtieguy01
Tech / General Engine
20
02-07-2001 06:51 PM