'66 SMALL BLOCK OIL QUANTITY

[Rob A.]

I recently changed the oil in my '66 small block. I partially fill the filter when installing it when I change my oil. I got distracted and forgot about that this time when I put the new oil in, so the dip stick indicates more than full by that amount. My car doesn't burn oil, so can letting that extra oil remain in the engine until my next change create a problem?

[Michael W.]

Re: '66 SMALL BLOCK OIL QUANTITY

I'd want to know what's wrong with my engine if it truly did not leak or burn any oil between changes.

How much 'extra oil' did you add?

[Brian M.]

Re: '66 SMALL BLOCK OIL QUANTITY

Sounds like 1/2 a Qt. extra at best. Shut the hood and drive it. Have fun.

[mike cobine]

Is anyone reading?

Rob, you are going to kick yourself.

If you put 5 quarts in, there are 5 in the engine and filter. It doesn't matter if you put 1/2 qt in the filter and 4-1/2 in the engine or if you put all 5 in the engine and left the filter dry.

What does matter is where the oil shows on the dipstick BEFORE you start the engine after the oil change.

Within a few seconds of starting the engine, the pump fills the filter and then the oiling system. It will then be at the actual level.

I'm surprised no one else mentioned this.

[mike cobine]

Meant to say

What does matter is where the oil shows on the dipstick BEFORE you start the engine after the oil change.

s/b

Where this does matter is where the oil shows on the dipstick BEFORE you start the engine after the oil change.

[Rob A.]

I'LL BE MORE CLEAR.....

The manual calls for 6 qts of oil when changing the oil and filter in a 350HP engine. I filled the oil filter, then added the 6 qts to the engine, forgetting I already filled the filter. After running the engine and checking the oil, it shows more than full as a result of the oil in the filter...

[Randy S.]

Re: I'LL BE MORE CLEAR.....

Rob,
You sure about the 6 quarts. My owners manual says 5 with filter for 300HP and 350 HP, 6 for big blocks.

At any rate, if you have overfilled it you could partially open the drain plug for a small stream of oil to drain until you reach a satisfactory level.

I have heard that overfilling can cause the oil to "froth up" (non tecnical term here) due to excess spashing from the crankshaft, etc and possibly cause the oil pickup to suck oil bubbles instead of a stream of oil.

Randy

[Rob A.]

Re: I'LL BE MORE CLEAR.....

Randy,

I checked my owners manual, and for 350 and 425HP, it calls for 5qts for an oil change and 6qts if the filter is changed. I think if anything I'll drop the filter and empty it, which would get rid of the extra amount of oil.