<VV> 5W-30

[Brent Covey]

GM Canada has been recommending 5W-30 for all passenger cars since 1967 in
Canada, in every type of service. I think it should be fine and safe to use
for nearly any normal Corvair.

Corvairs shipped here had a sticker added in the engine compartment with
this recomendation, which is availible reproduction. Some 1966's may also
have it, as many have a sticker glue residue on one of the air cleaner
'legs' that appears to be for this sticker but I have not encountered the
sticker itself on any 1966 cars I can recall. '68's put it near the
emissions sticker and they seem to stay put better there.

Canada had a relatively small number of oil companies at the time, and this
may have given GM extra confidence the 'new' 5W-30 was safe to use. I notice
oil temperatures drop quite a bit in normal driving even compared to 10W-30,
just touching the oil filter after highway driving its quite a distinct
change. I have not encountered any oil pressure or accelerated wear in any
GM engine using 5W-30, which I use in everything from my 454 truck towing
heavy trailers to all the Corvairs. Cooler oil tends to preserve gasket and
seal life if nothing else.

Generally my oil recommendations are use the same oil your newest cars
suggest, in all of them, unless you have a specific issue that must be
addressed. 15W-40 is slightly heavier than 5W-30 but suited to most climates
and purposes as well, and availible very inexpensively as its a standard
diesel engine oil, Chevron Delo would be typical of a good product availible
at low cost as 15W-40. My preference is to use different brands over time to
captialize on the strengths of each companies additive packages and minimize
the risks if I get a bum product once. I do this with the dogfood too, so
the dog doesnt get stuck with a bad brand too long at a shot.

If you put a oil temp guage on a Corvair you'll discover it operates at
lower oil temperatures by a fair margin than most V8 engines do in similar
driving.

Brent Covey
Vancouver BC