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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: ssgoodman on November 12, 2007, 10:29:08 pm

Title: how many quarts of oil?
Post by: ssgoodman on November 12, 2007, 10:29:08 pm: anyone know how many quarts of oil a stock 1976 400 engine holds? i changed the oil saturday before work, put 5 quarts in and when i checked it it said it was way over full. it drained for about 10 minutes and it was done draining when i went back under it. put on a fram oil filter and filled it up and now there is brand new oil on the dipstick but quite a bit over full with only 5 gallons. i know my old 6.2 diesel took more then 5 quarts.

also does anyone know of any easy ways to get alittle extra power out of the engine? could i remove some of the aircleaner or put in a bigger aircleaner? previous owner put in new plugs and wires about 2 months before i bought it. i cut the mufflers off it yesterday and got some glasspacks i plan to turn backwards for it but looking for some other tips or tricks. this is the first gas v8 that i have owned.

thanks
Sutton
Title: Re: Recent purchase questions
Post by: ccz145a on November 12, 2007, 11:14:11 pm: Most of them hold 4qts plus whatever fits in the filter. If you had a small filter, then 5 would have been too much.
Title: Re: Recent purchase questions
Post by: Lt.Del on November 12, 2007, 11:16:32 pm: Sutton
welcome. You may wanna start a new thread versus hijacking a thread--but i see the correlation "new purchase". But w/ a new filter, 5 should do it. Start out with 4 but dont check the oil before you run it a little to get the filter nice and full. Then check it.

As far as getting a little more power, the best thing to do is ensure it is in tune. Put a timing light on it. Make sure the carbs are adjusted correctly. A bigger cleaner won't amount to anything noticeable, unless what you have on there is smaller than stock. Ensure the cats aren't clogged, if you have them.
Title: Re: how many quarts of oil?
Post by: VileZambonie on November 13, 2007, 01:24:59 pm: Quote from: ssgoodman on November 12, 2007, 10:29:08 pm
it drained for about 10 minutes and it was done draining when i went back under it. put on a fram oil filter and filled it up and now there is brand new oil on the dipstick but quite a bit over full with only 5 gallons. thanks
Sutton

You put in 5 Gallons?! it only takes 5 quarts with the filter change. Make sure you run the engine and check it on level ground 30 seconds after you shut it off.
Title: Re: how many quarts of oil?
Post by: ssgoodman on November 13, 2007, 07:01:39 pm: i meant quarts... ::)
Title: Re: how many quarts of oil?
Post by: bigblock73 on November 15, 2007, 05:45:56 am: I have always put in 4 1/2 quarts in all my SBC powered vehicles..checked out fine every time.
Title: Re: how many quarts of oil?
Post by: 85MudMonster on November 15, 2007, 06:27:17 am: pretty sure it should be right at 4.5 qts.
Title: Re: how many quarts of oil?
Post by: Captkaos on November 15, 2007, 01:15:40 pm: All the trucks I have ever worked on or owned took 5 quarts.
Title: Re: how many quarts of oil?
Post by: 75 C20 on November 15, 2007, 09:44:13 pm: always threw 5 qts in mine
Title: Re: how many quarts of oil?
Post by: Dragon on November 16, 2007, 01:59:55 pm: 5 qrts have been the standard refill capacity of a SBC for years. Now that does change depending on the size of the filter used, and weither or not a Radiator/ & or an externally mounted Oil Cooler is also used, and you have a leak in the system....