350 Maintance ?'s

[shawn1112]

So I just a 80 Malibu with a 350 and some mods. Have a few questions on fluids and plugs as I plan on changing all that good stuff before I take it out and start driving it the way it should be driven. Current engine mods are a mild cam, RPM Performer intake, Holley 670 street avenger carb, and LT headers.
Questions are

Spark plugs: Should I just replace with whats in there now (Champions) and whats the gap?

Oil and filter: What weight oil and any recommendations on the filter? (think from the factory it calls for 5w30)

Coolant: Anything special or just your basic coolant will do with a 50/50 mix?

Thanks in advance....

 

[zdeckich]

Spark Plug gap is usually .045 with HEI. Champion plugs are fine, I happen to favor NGK but that's just me. Oil is up to you. I assume most still use 5w30 or 10w30, all also depends on the weather climate you live in and how you drive it. I would look for somthing thats high in zinc. As far as coolant. i buy just the green prestone and do a 60/40 (60 water/40 coolant) mix myself here in TX

 

[axisg]

I wouldn't go nuts swapping out all the fluids, n plugs and such just yet. Check the antifreeze, and the rear diff level, then just a good oil change, 10w30 of your favourite oil. My preference is Rotella T4 in the 3 gallon pail ( TSC Stores or even Wal Mart ), Wix 51061 Filter, and a bottle of Zinc additive
https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/edl-1074/overview/

Once you drive it a few times you will see if it needs anything. GM spent a lot of dough getting parts to work with one another so I am a fan of sticking with mostly Delco stuff

 

[pontiacgp]

I'd take out a plug and see what it looks like, nothing wrong with champion plugs. If you don't know how long the oil has been in the engine I'd change it to a brand that you like. For the coolant you can get a tester to see what the mixture is and if it looks clean I'd leave it. I would also check the transmission oil level and the level of the rear end oil. Don't forget about greasing what needs to be greased.

 

[shawn1112]

Thanks for all the advice. Definitely going to take some time to get back in the way things work with these G Bodies. Totally forgot about having to grease things. I already pulled a plug and it's so so, I personally would feel better if I changed them. Oil was changed before he stored it last fall, practically no miles on the oil. But it has sat for about 5 months, so definitely changing it. Trans fluid is fine and was changed last fall when it was rebuilt. Will check rear end fluid as well, don't remember how to do that but I will figure it out or use Google.

 

[pontiacgp]

for the rear end there is a filler plug on the passenger side of the pumpkin. It is a 3/8" square plug that your 3/8" extension fits. Clean out the cavity as best you can and I use an old 3/8" drive extension so I can give it a few good wacks with my mallet before I try to turn it.

 

[Bar50]

Valvoline VR1 (Racing Formula) in 10W30. All VR1 Racing oil has ZDDP in it like old oil. They took ZDDP out of Rotella. Or buy ZDDP additive. I am also a fan of the Wix 51061 oil filter.

I use AC Delco, old school (R45TS? no platinum or rapid fire) plugs. I do have NGK in my e85 motor with no complaints. I have used NGK and Champion for years in motorcycles.

I use green 50/50 mix on antifreeze.

 

[axisg]

^^ VR1 10w30 is the real deal. Unfortunately a little harder ( and expensive to get ) in Canada hence the $20 bottle of additive. SMH !!!!
I am toying with the idea of importing a whole pallet and re-selling ! But I don't want to pull this thread off topic.

 

[pontiacgp]

Amsoil has ZDDP in it

 

[zdeckich]

Amsoil has ZDDP in it

So does Royal Purple HPS. I use that in my CTS-V with no problems.