Engine Oil

Ok, this is a really simple question but it has been years since I purchased any engine oil. I used to change the oil all the time but these days I just take the new car off to get a service.

What is a top oil for a holden 253?

Ian

John Laws recomends valvoline for all your lubrication needs.
Mate I guess its like red wine, avoid the cheap shit but you don't need to buy an expensive bottle of Grange to experience joy. I spend 15-30 bucks every 6 months. My 253's seem to love Penzoil, Castrol or Valvoline and I've never had trouble with any of them. They seem to like Mozart and Beethoven too, but don't put them in there.
Good luck mate.

I always use Castrol on all of my cars.
Change oil every 5000kms and oil filter every 10000kms

Thanks guys, I think I must be burning a fair bit as it is down to very low in about 3000 kms.

Off to the auto shop we go.

when my 253 in my van was gettin sad. i use penrite HPR50. penzoil is good. but if its burning it. just use cheaper stuff. so it wont cost too much untill you rebuild it. my rear main was also really bad for leaking so in the end i put the cheapest and the thickest i could find. my mate owns a work shop and uses penzoil. i use penzoil now as i get it cheap and its a new motor now.

What engine oil would you recommend for my hj 202 ??

Ended up getting some Shell Helix 20W50 specifically for older cars. Hard to know what to get. Thinner is better for the cold but thicker is better in the heat. If the weather didn't change it would be a lot easier.

lozzie wrote:What engine oil would you recommend for my hj 202 ??

I always use Castrol from a 4 cyl Mazda to my van.

I'll remember that So its good quality then yeh?

Is it true it would cost me around $2500 to put a 308 in my van?

Personally if you have the room, get a donor vehicle.
You can hear it running, drive it etc and everything is there. Even the little bits that can be fogotton.(Exhaust, radiator and hoses, engine fan just to name a few).

That sounds like something I may do down the track....

Anyone heard of Champiro tires?? Thats whats on my van atm....

Sorry.
Can't help you with that one.

AH any vanners live in VIC????

If so whats the cost of your rego per year approx for your panel van ??????


cheers

[quote="lozzie"]AH any vanners live in VIC????quote]

Gee I dunno probably only about 90% of them
Us northen vanners are very few and far between. Its almost like someone picked up australia and all the vans fell into mexico.

Bloody Mexicans!!!
...and I mean that in the nicest possible way....

The cost for rego for your van is the same as it is for your Statesman as far as i know but if you ring Vic roads they should be able to tell you

[quote="rambletamble"]

lozzie wrote:AH any vanners live in VIC????quote]

Gee I dunno probably only about 90% of them
Us northen vanners are very few and far between. Its almost like someone picked up australia and all the vans fell into mexico.

That is about the second best Vanning quote I have heard, Frez's Vanners are Street machiners with imagination still tops it but, i got a good laugh.
we know what you mean Shagginwagon82.

LOL!!!!

OPPSIE MY BAD

Thanks guys

ok, here goes trying to remember what's in the thread:
1. Any reasonably good priced oil will do, I have used Shell Helix and a few others in the van and spare car (corolla). Currently using oil designed for gas in the van, not sure if it IS better, but it costs about the same, so i use it. You can also get oil specifically for older vehicles due to engine wear etc... depends on what your engine is like i suppose.
2. re the vic rego, my van will cost me about $567. U can actually go on the VicRoads website, drill down on the registration questions and you should get to a page where you can type in your postcode and it will give you what you'll pay. In generally goes by area, I used to have the van "garaged" in Shepparton, that saved me around $100p.a. Both my vehicles will cost the same .... (no wonder i work 2 jobs!!)
3. Re putting a 308 in - yes, much better if you can hear it running, at least you know its going. I think i have one already, around $700 for long motor, hear running and still goes well, even though its a bit sad and needs a rebuild - perfect for me as it will be stripped and rebuilt to my specs anyways. I'm going to go straight gas, so no antipollution stuff, can have the dizzie set up for gas and get a mild gas cam as well as a few other things. Donor vehicle is a good idea - but sometimes you may have trouble getting rid of the common bits.... if you have storage, probably the cheaper and better option. BTW, a short motor I believe doesn't have dizzie, alternator etc etc - the boys could probably go into detail better than i can.
That's all I could remember on Q's. ta M

lozzie wrote:I'll remember that So its good quality then yeh?

Is it true it would cost me around $2500 to put a 308 in my van?

I'm budgetting upwards of $2500 - depends on what you want to do.... i want a 4 or 5 spd box, so probably have to add around $600 (???) for a good one, maybe change the diff, i have power steer and air con and i ain't forsaking that so need to get all the brackets etc etc etc bla bla bla - you can do a straight swap and gamble, personally, being female, i'd rather be on the safe side and have it at least rekitted (gaskets etc) so I know I won't get stuck somewhere without help. Will still cost some money though so if you do budget at around $2500, you should be ok.