Oil for 73 Nova 350sbc est.3k mile a year

[Countryman]

I have a 73 Nova with a crate 350 motor with about 8000 miles on it and it's driven maybe around 3000 miles a year. Has a roller cam but I have been using Valvoline VR1 Racing SAE 10W-30 Motor Oil due to the high zinc anyways even though it's not needed from what everyone says. It does sit alot and when driven is highways and interstates and never hardly any stop and go traffic. Is the VRI oil still a good selection for this or is there another oil that would be better? Thanks!

 

[PontiacHO]

Keep using the VR1 and you will be fine. If you just want to switch you can use the Castrol for classic cars that also has higher zinc. Just more insurance, roller cam or otherwise.

 

[Countryman]

Thanks, From what Ive read they both have the same amount,13% Zinc and 12% Phosphorus but Castrol GTX Classic is easier to find here and is cheaper. May go ahead and switch after my next oil change.....edit... WELL LOOKS LIKE i WAS WRONG...no Castrol GTX classic in 10w30 just 20w50 guess I'll keep on using VRI.

 

[Brian123]

I have a 73 Nova with a crate 350 motor with about 8000 miles on it and it's driven maybe around 3000 miles a year. Has a roller cam but I have been using Valvoline VR1 Racing SAE 10W-30 Motor Oil due to the high zinc anyways even though it's not needed from what everyone says. It does sit alot and when driven is highways and interstates and never hardly any stop and go traffic. Is the VRI oil still a good selection for this or is there another oil that would be better? Thanks!

Specs of the Roller Cam!
What Cylinder heads are on this Engine?

Pic of the Car!

 

[ripcord]

At the rate you're driving it, it should never wear out with any decent quality oil.

Pics please!

 

[4WD]

I have a 73 Nova with a crate 350 motor with about 8000 miles on it and it's driven maybe around 3000 miles a year. Has a roller cam but I have been using Valvoline VR1 Racing SAE 10W-30 Motor Oil due to the high zinc anyways even though it's not needed from what everyone says. It does sit alot and when driven is highways and interstates and never hardly any stop and go traffic. Is the VRI oil still a good selection for this or is there another oil that would be better? Thanks!

Can’t give you a perfect answer without a picture

 

[Countryman]

At the rate you're driving it, it should never wear out with any decent quality oil.

Pics please!

Well once I get the overdrive and rearend re-geared probably will go up! Here is a couple of pics.

 

[4WD]

Well once I get the overdrive and rearend re-geared probably will go up! Here is a couple of pics.

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Sharp ! Had a ‘74 with a mildly modified 350 …

 

[ripcord]

Well once I get the overdrive and rearend re-geared probably will go up! Here is a couple of pics.

View attachment 202883

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Sweet! That was like the dream car for half the guys in my high school class... (I was one of those weird Ford guys). Perfect stance, too.

 

[Countryman]

Sharp ! Had a ‘74 with a mildly modified 350 …

I have had a 72,73 and a 74 so far. I've always likes the Nova because everyone has Camaro and Mustangs...

 

[Countryman]

Specs of the Roller Cam!
What Cylinder heads are on this Engine?

Pic of the Car!

Motor is just a 355 from Blueprint motors with aluminum Vortec style heads..not a hard hitting cam just street-able.

 

[Ursatdx]

Had a 68 Chevy II Nova.
Had Cragars but was a 250 6 cyl with thrush muffler 2 speed PowerGlide.

 

[Brian123]

Motor is just a 355 from Blueprint motors with aluminum Vortec style heads..not a hard hitting cam just street-able.

You do realize that the Vortec Cylinder heads are probably the best cylinder head for a street small block chevy? Awesome looking car, just saw the Pic you posted, Awesome, keep using the Valvoline!

 

[VWRand]

I just rebuilt the engine on my Capri and am going to use one of the Gibbs Driven oils for street cars. They have a mineral based 10w-40 with zinc that looks good.

 

[LenZee]

I have had a 72,73 and a 74 so far. I've always likes the Nova because everyone has Camaro and Mustangs...

I've had a 1968 with a 6 and a four speed manual, 1970 6 with powerglide, 1972 350 with th350 and a 1974 with a 307 th350.
Love Novas

 

[GMBoy]

My opinion echos the others - stick with the VR1 (maybe go to the synthetic formula) or use GTX Classic.

 

[Countryman]

I just rebuilt the engine on my Capri and am going to use one of the Gibbs Driven oils for street cars. They have a mineral based 10w-40 with zinc that looks good.

Heard thats some good oil ...but dang that price!

 

[Countryman]

I've had a 1968 with a 6 and a four speed manual, 1970 6 with powerglide, 1972 350 with th350 and a 1974 with a 307 th350.
Love Novas

My 74 we stuffed a Pontiac 350 in it had to do cutting of front cross memeber to get it to fit.

 

[LenZee]

My 74 we stuffed a Pontiac 350 in it had to do cutting of front cross memeber to get it to fit.

My dad had a 1974 Pontiac ventura with a Six. Lol, Had red velour interior with playboy bunnys on the headrests.

 

[RagnarokCamaro]

Very nice car.

Amsoil Z-Rod or Driven GP1 would be my opinion. Both have rust/corrosion inhibitors for engines that don't get used often.