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Stupid Question, How do I change my Oil?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bender
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Bender

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I have a 81 vette with a new 350 in it, so what do I do? Does the oil drain when you pull the oil filter or is there a seprate plug? I dont have anything to put it up on so can I still change my oil? While we are at it, how do I change the coolant? I want to put all water since I live in FL and its not going to freeze in the summer or winter for that matter lol.
 
Heat the engine up. There is a drain plug in the oil pan under the car. Pull the plug (you may want to change the plug to a magnetic one that helps catch metal shavings) let it drain until nothing comes out. Pull the oil filter while it's draining. Replace the plug and the oil filter. Dip your finger in the oil and run a "bead" around the rubber gasket on the business end of the gasket. I'm not sure what the torque is on the oil pan nut. Only hand tighten the filter.

Check the model center to see how many quarts of oil your car takes. Add the requisite amount of oil and check the dipstick to make sure that it is to the full mark.

As to coolant (NEVER OPEN THE CAP ON A HOT RADIATOR), open the radiator cap and release the pressure. There should be a small bolt or drain cock on the bottom of the radiator. Place something under it to catch the 15 - 20 quarts of coolant and either remove the drain plug or open the drain cock. After it drains empty I usually close the radiator, take the heater hose that runs to the intake manifold off, run a hose into the top of the radiator and run water into it until I get clear water coming out of the heater hose. If you don't do that, the closed thermostat will prevent flow through the engine.

Drain the engine once again, replace the radiator drain and heater hose and add a 50/50 mix of water and green coolant. The coolant not only impacts the freezing and boling point, it has additives that prevent the corrision of your cooling system. While your at it, make sure your overflow tank is connected and working properly and add the coolant to that as well.

Run the car to operating temperature, let it cool and check your coolant level. If the overflow system is working properly, any air in the system should burp out and be replaced by coolant in the overflow tank.

Good luck.
 
I don't know for sure, having never touched that particular oil pan, but most chevy's have an oil pan drain plug at the rear of the oil pan. Drain the oil there - the filter won't empty the crank case. Again, usually, stranger things have happened but not many.

As for the coolant, you don't want to go all water. The antifreeze not only lowers the freezing point of the water but it also raises the boiling point. Running just water is a good way to overheat or even burst a hose, cap or radiator from the increased pressure due to the lower heat capacity of the water. Add the green stuff and then you don't have to worry about it.
 
Alright thanks, Do you all think the high performce Oil Filters by K&N make a differnce and the brand of oil?
 
Bender,

People will kill over this question. I pretty much go with price, as long as it is new oil and SAE certified, on both the oil and filter. I'm sure we will hear differing opinions on this. :L

Bob
 
bobchad said:
Bender,

People will kill over this question. I pretty much go with price, as long as it is new oil and SAE certified, on both the oil and filter. I'm sure we will hear differing opinions on this. :L

Bob
Bob...I think you just opened up a can of
Mobil1AnniversaryLarge30.jpg
worms...;LOL
 
I agree with replacing the oil drain plug with a magnetic one. The first time I installed it on my very tired 350 there were lots of metalic particles. I now use magnetic drain plugs on all my cars and they only cost about $4.00

As for the type of oil, when I rebuild my engine I'm switching to synthetic. I did a lot of research on this topic and no dino oil can truly match the properties of synthetic. However, dino oil will work. I use K&N on my vette while using Bosch on my everyday cars. There is a great website devoted to filtration and lubrication call bobistheoilguy.com. These guys take this debate to a new level.

You should always use coolant with water. Not only is it about freezing and heating, but there is an additive package for corrosion protection. You may be able to use a greater mixture of water to coolant such as 60/40.
 

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