2 winter questions, thinner oil/dry gas ?

[philo_beddoe]

I received a couple of free cases of 10w40, engine calls for 10w30. I have been using the 1040 since the summer, but is there any concerns using it during the cold winter months? Should I use a thinner oil, especially in a new crate 350?

Also, I've always wanted to know, is using dry gas in these classic vehicles safe? Any concerns or is it perfectly fine for everything it runs through?  Thanks..

[MrFiveOh]

I received a couple of free cases of 10w40, engine calls for 10w30. I have been using the 1040 since the summer, but is there any concerns using it during the cold winter months? Should I use a thinner oil, especially in a new crate 350?

Also, I've always wanted to know, is using dry gas in these classic vehicles safe? Any concerns or is it perfectly fine for everything it runs through?  Thanks..

You should be fine with 10-40 all year. I use a 20/50 during summer in texas and 10/40 during winter which is only a couple months here anyway.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i think you'll be ok with the 40.  Although i prefer 30 in SBC's.

What brand is the oil?

What is dry gas?

[Captain Swampy]

To be a 10W the oil has to meet cold flow ratings. It doesn't matter what the second number is. The 30,40,50 refers to film strength when the oil is hot. Your 10W40 will be fine. Put a block heater in your truck.

[philo_beddoe]

i think you'll be ok with the 40.  Although i prefer 30 in SBC's.

What brand is the oil?

What is dry gas?

Various brands of oil,

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-is-dry-gas

[philo_beddoe]

To be a 10W the oil has to meet cold flow ratings. It doesn't matter what the second number is. The 30,40,50 refers to film strength when the oil is hot. Your 10W40 will be fine. Put a block heater in your truck.

Its not THAT cold in MA Cap'n. Lol

[80Chevy4x4]

To be a 10W the oil has to meet cold flow ratings. It doesn't matter what the second number is. The 30,40,50 refers to film strength when the oil is hot. Your 10W40 will be fine. Put a block heater in your truck.

Its not THAT cold in MA Cap'n. Lol

True but the truck will warm up quicker for the heat so he won't be cold   

[Engineer]

We used to use 10w40 year round. 10w30 only came about in response to stricter fuel mileage requirements.

My 454 is built up pretty good and I ran Valvoline VR1 20w50 in it year round with no issues at all. Look at page 6 in my monster truck build thread for a report on how it looks after about 12 winters of cold starts.

[philo_beddoe]

Ok, so is using dry gas safe?
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-is-dry-gas

[philo_beddoe]

I got a bunch of sae30 oil for free. Isnit safe to use?

[zieg85]

What requirements does it meet?

[philo_beddoe]

Doing some research it looks to be a little thick for winter. Better for lawn mowers and such.

[VileZambonie]

Run 10w30. You can mix in a quart of the 10w40 til you use it up once it warms up again.

[philo_beddoe]

Uh oh, i just did a full oil change of 10w40.  Is it the end of the world?  But thats the end of it, back to 10w30 very soon. Still putting in 4oz of zddp though.

[75gmck25]

I don't think 10w40 will be a problem if you added the ZDDP.  The 10w is the key parameter for cold weather.

My favorite high ZDDP oil is the Mobil 1 15w50 (with 1300 PPM zinc and 1200 phosphorous) that is listed on this Mobil product sheet.
https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us/pvl/files/pdfs/mobil-1-oil-product-specs-guide-2016.pdf

I can sometimes find it at Walmart in the 5 quart bottles, and they always have it at Advanced Auto Parts when they have a sale on Mobil 1.  Since it has the high ZDDP already I don't worry about any additives.

Bruce