Stupid and heavily debated question..

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   I know this may be a stupid question, but what is the original manufacturers recommendation for oil to use in a 1971 360? I've searched all over the internet and see hundreds of conversations about what people put in their own engines and what they think is best, but I'm looking for the OEM oil type used for these engines...

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tom999q Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Mar/31/2019 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 168	Post Options Post Reply Quote tom999q Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Stupid and heavily debated question.. Posted: Apr/17/2019 at 6:30pm
	I know this may be a stupid question, but what is the original manufacturers recommendation for oil to use in a 1971 360? I've searched all over the internet and see hundreds of conversations about what people put in their own engines and what they think is best, but I'm looking for the OEM oil type used for these engines...

Phitown Hustler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Mar/14/2019 Location: Philly Status: Offline Points: 124	Post Options Post Reply Quote Phitown Hustler Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/17/2019 at 6:46pm
	A 71 TSM would provide the answer but really those recommendations are irrelevant to today's modern oils.

304-dude Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/29/2008 Location: Central Illinoi Status: Offline Points: 9082	Post Options Post Reply Quote 304-dude Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/17/2019 at 6:47pm
	I dont have it in front of me, but i do believe the owners manual states what maintanence requirements are needed. Oil, tire inflation, coolent and transmission fluid, among other things.
	71 Javelin SST body 390 69 crank, 70 block & heads NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons 78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low 50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension 79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker

purple72Gremlin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Charter Member Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 16614	Post Options Post Reply Quote purple72Gremlin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/17/2019 at 7:03pm
	I think AMC had their own oil.....but I would suspect that some dealers were oil sellers and had their own brands......so.....?

PROSTOCKTOM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jun/20/2010 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 2458	Post Options Post Reply Quote PROSTOCKTOM Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/17/2019 at 7:04pm
	The oil formulas used in 1971 are not used in today's oils do to emission requirements. If you want a high quality oil that is as close as your going to get to a 1971 version I would use Valvoline VR Racing oil since it has the additives in it that are required in older non emission era engines. Tom

Red Devil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/10/2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1743	Post Options Post Reply Quote Red Devil Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/17/2019 at 9:12pm
	I have a '72 owner's manual handy. Expect oil recommendations for '71 were the same? From pg.50, Engine Oil Viscosity: "Multi-viscosity or single-viscosity types of oil are equally acceptable if refined and sold by reputable oil companies. However, Multi-viscosity oil is your best choice since it covers a broader range of operating temperatures and driving conditions. Oil viscosity should be determined by the lowest air temperature anticipated before your next oil change as follows: Lowest Air Temperature Anticipated and recommended oils: Above 32 F SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40, SAE 20W-20 Above 0 F SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40, SAE 10W Below 0 F SAE 5W-20 or 5W-30, SAE 10W Note: Sustained high speeds (above 65 MPH) should be avoided when using SAE 10W engine oil since oil consumption may be greater." Edit: On page 49, it states under "Engine Oil Quality" : "For maximum engine protection under all driving conditions, use only engine oil meeting API Engine Oil Service Classification " SE". The term "SE" must appear on the oil container singly or in conjunction with other designations. These new "SE" engine oils provide more protection against oil oxidation, high-temperature engine deposits, rust and corrosion." So a 10W30 or 10W40 "SE" oil for summer and 5W20 or 5W30 for cold winters. I used to change my oil twice a year and run 10W30 for summer and 5W30 for winter here in Ontario, Canada. Don't think any OEM recommends single viscosity oil today, but other recommendations aren't too far off specs for past 40 years ... except some of the newer engines with tighter clearances and better tolerances that run a 5W20 or similar year round. FWIW, my '74 401 sees warm weather driving only and I run a modern 0W40. Edit: Under oil and filter changes, it states: "Your engine oil and oil filter should be changed every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever occurs first, when the car is operating under normal driving conditions. If most car uses involve trips under 6 to 8 miles, change oil once in between the oil-and-filter changes." Hope this helps, RD Edited by Red Devil - Apr/17/2019 at 9:37pm

sweatlock Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/28/2014 Location: Largo, FL Status: Offline Points: 3321	Post Options Post Reply Quote sweatlock Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/17/2019 at 9:15pm
	Oil specifications have changed, additives have changed, and formulations have changed, but oil weights should be the same. I don’t see why a 10w30 oil from today isn’t the same weight as a 10w30 oil from ‘71. My ‘69 owner’s manual lists 10w30 oil as recommended. Some people like to use a thicker oil, but it’s usually a band-aid to cover up deficiencies in the oiling system, either over time due to wear or an improper rebuild. AMC V8 engines from the factory had no issues w/ 10w30 weight oil.

Trader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6909	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/17/2019 at 9:56pm
	"weight/viscosity" of oil vs "chemical composition" of oil are completely separate. Considerations of shear, stability, ksi or pressure ratings ..., have all changed over the decades. There is no direct comparison. The TSM was referencing SAE of SG or SH I believe at that time. Synthetics were just coming to market in the day and they also were getting "equivalent" ratings. And like everything else today, oil "chemistry" is changing faster. You could recommend an oil last year and they change it and it's a not good recommendation this year. It's like playing Russian Roulette. I currently just follow the most economical high ksi rating of a 5W30 and add or buy to get 1200 to 1400 ppm ZDDP and hope for the best. Good luck on this thread.

FSJunkie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2011 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4742	Post Options Post Reply Quote FSJunkie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/18/2019 at 2:01am
	API SE 10W30 for most climates. The highest quality oils back then came from crude oil refined in Appalachian Basin near Pennsylvania, known as "Pennsylvania Grade Crude". This is where Pennzoil and Quaker State got their beginnings, and Pennzoil was probably the most popular engine oil in the 1960's and 1970's. Most cars driving on American streets at that time likely had Pennzoil 10W30 in them. The difference in performance between oils refined from Pennsylvania grade crude and other crudes (particularly gulf crude) narrowed as refining technologies evolved. It is now possible to refine very high quality lubricating oil from just about any kind of crude oil, which is why Pennsylvania grade crude no longer commands the respect it once did, nor do the oils refined from it. I would recommend Brad Penn Penngrade 1 if you are trying to find a modern oil that closely replicates the properties of circa 1969 oil. It is still refined at the old Kendall refinery in Bradford, Pennsylvania from 100% Pensylvania grade crude pumped out of the ground in the same area. That's about as old fashioned as it gets. It is rated API SG as I recall.
	1955 Packard 1966 Marlin 1972 Wagoneer 1973 Ambassador 1977 Hornet 1982 Concord D/L 1984 Eagle Limited

1982AMCConcord Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/13/2012 Location: Kenosha, WI Status: Offline Points: 1287	Post Options Post Reply Quote 1982AMCConcord Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/18/2019 at 12:49pm
	This article was very helpful to me... Outside of the getting the proper weight... make sure to look for oils with the CI-4 or CI-4 Plus on the bottle.... these are rated for Flat Tappet camshafts... https://www.hotrod.com/articles/flat-tappet-cam-tech/ I personally use Mystik oil because its rated for CI-4/CI-4 PLUS like the article above specifies... but there are a lot of others... http://docs.mystiklubes.com/msds_pi/M20106.pdf Edit: New Mystik link added to show the range of coverage Mystik 10w-30 provides. Previous link was broken. Edited by 1982AMCConcord - Apr/19/2019 at 7:28am