Hi eveveryon. I'm a new camaro owner. IIwasI checchec my oils and noticed there wasn't anything that says what oil to get. I'll attach pics. It's an 86 camaro sports coupe.

 

I generally use a 10/30 high mileage synthetic blend as mine is rain/winter beater, did you figure out what engine u have? What did the PO use?

 

Use the cheapest 10W-30 you can find. The engine doesn't care what brand it is...

 

The previous owner used Castrol 10/40. I assume i should use the same? Whats the difference between 10w-30 and 10w-40??

 

You want a 10w30 that is sensitive to the flat-tappet nature of the 86 and older engines. Amsoil Z-Rod or Premium Protection both have additional protection for flat-tappet engines. Signature Series will do the job also. There are others, but these will offer some of the best protection you can get.

Don't skimp on the filter. It is possibly more important than the oil. Go with at least a WIX (NAPA, Carquest are the same), or preferably a synthetic element filter like the Amsoil, Royal Purple, Mobile 1, etc.

GD

 

If the Castrol used was Castrol Edge, it contains sufficient zinc ad ZDDP levels to help prevent excessive lifter and cam lobe wear, It is available in 10W30. Most other Castrol oils are lacking in these additive.

Viable alternatives are Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 10W30, Valvoline VR1 10W30, 10W30 Amsoil Z-Rod.

 

Rotella 10w-30 or 15w-40 are also fine

 

Thanks so much for the information! The previous owner told me to use 10w-40 and lucas oil stabilizer (4qt to 1qt) should I use his recommendations or this threads? Everyone on here seems to be using the same kind

 

I would not that stuff is thick and our engines don't need that unless they are really worn and trying to bump up oil pressure. Lucas hotrod 10w-40 also good

 

No - Lucas is an additive, and if the oil needed what is in that additive, the manufacturer of the oil would have included that additive in the oil formulation. With some very limited exceptions such as flushing or attempting to free up sticky lifters, etc - additives are generally a poor idea for engine oil. Using the correct oil for the application on it's own will ensure the oil works as designed by the manufacturer. Basically, unless you are trying to accomplish something that the oil wasn't designed to do (such as heavy cleaning), don't try to mix your own cocktail outside of an oil analysis laboratory. The results will be unpredictable without testing - might be good, but might be bad. And you really won't have any idea if the oil caused a problem or not. Best to leave what come out the bottle to stand on it's own.

If it runs well and has no signs of needing repairs, etc, running something like the Amsoil Z-Rod will ensure your flat tappet engine has the best chance going forward.

GD

 

If thats a spark plug wire you might want to start there first...

 

You're wasting your money buying expensive oil for that engine.
All of today's motor oils have ZDDP. It's been reduced to the levels of the 1960s. It was reduced because it's bad for catalytic converters.
During engine and flat-tappet cam break-in, you need extra ZDDP...especially if you have stiff high performance valve springs. Once your engine (with stock valve springs) is broken in, regular engine oil of the proper viscosity is fine...

EDIT: I agree with what was said about oil filters. Don't buy cheap ones...