Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

[James S.]

I thoroughly checked the pubs; no luck on what weight the engine oil should be for a 283 cu. in 230 HP version; I'm thinking 10-30w??

Also, the service manual states rear end gear oil should be 90 wt multi-purpose gear oil. No posi tags on the differential oil plug or on top of the wooden spare tire cover as the book says to identify, but the car is 50 years old and who knows if the tags have been removed or just faded away. How do I tell for sure that this car is not a posi car?

Thx for any advice.

Jim

[Steven N.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

You can tell by looking at the axle. Where the normal breather cap is on the top side, on the driver side is , there will be a vent tube coming out of there going over the top to the passenger side on a pos unit.................

[James S.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

You can tell by looking at the axle. Where the normal breather cap is on the top side, on the driver side is , there will be a vent tube coming out of there going over the top to the passenger side on a pos unit.................

Thx Steve!

[Larry M.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

I thoroughly checked the pubs; no luck on what weight the engine oil should be for a 283 cu. in 230 HP version; I'm thinking 10-30w??

Also, the service manual states rear end gear oil should be 90 wt multi-purpose gear oil. No posi tags on the differential oil plug or on top of the wooden spare tire cover as the book says to identify, but the car is 50 years old and who knows if the tags have been removed or just faded away. How do I tell for sure that this car is not a posi car?

Thx for any advice.

Jim

Jim:

Engine oil back during this time (1960) was typically straight weights like 10W, 20W-20, or 30, depending on outside temperature. Most of us ran 20W-20 throughout the year, but occasionally went to 30 in the summer. However, 10W-30 multi-weight is probably the best all-around oil for today.

Recommend 10W-30 or 15W-40 CJ-4 rated diesel oil for your car. Has the additives these old cars need for the flat-tappet cams. The 15W-40 is easiest to get in CJ-4...but 10W-30 CJ-4 can be found or special ordered. Either one will work well.

Regarding the rear axle, you can also jack up the rear so that both tires are off the ground. Rotate one, and if the other also rotates and goes in the same direction, you have a posi rear. If it doesn't rotate, or spins in the opposite direction, you have an conventional or "open" rear axle.

Larry

[Stuart F.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

The quick and dirty way is to drop one wheel onto a gravel shoulder and see if the wheel on the pavement will pull it's weight, or just sit there while the one on the gravel spins.

Stu Fox

[James S.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

Jim:

Engine oil back during this time (1960) was typically straight weights like 10W, 20W-20, or 30, depending on outside temperature. Most of us ran 20W-20 throughout the year, but occasionally went to 30 in the summer. However, 10W-30 multi-weight is probably the best all-around oil for today.

Recommend 10W-30 or 15W-40 CJ-4 rated diesel oil for your car. Has the additives these old cars need for the flat-tappet cams. The 15W-40 is easiest to get in CJ-4...but 10W-30 CJ-4 can be found or special ordered. Either one will work well.

Regarding the rear axle, you can also jack up the rear so that both tires are off the ground. Rotate one, and if the other also rotates and goes in the same direction, you have a posi rear. If it doesn't rotate, or spins in the opposite direction, you have an conventional or "open" rear axle.

Larry

Larry,

Thx for the info.

I have some Shell 15W-40W with the CJ-4 for breakin and will use that for sure for oil changes. Will double check the posi rotation you recommend. I'm pretty sure now it is an open; no vent tube running from driver to passenger side as Steve mentioned.

Thx again.

Jim

[James S.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

The quick and dirty way is to drop one wheel onto a gravel shoulder and see if the wheel on the pavement will pull it's weight, or just sit there while the one on the gravel spins.

Stu Fox

Thx Stu!

[Larry M.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

Jim:

A "hole shot" from 3000 RPM will also clearly indicate a posi or non-posi rear. Just count the tire marks through your rear view mirror.

This was the preferred method we used to use, and didn't even require a jack. Just forgot to mention it earlier.

Larry

[James S.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

Jim:

A "hole shot" from 3000 RPM will also clearly indicate a posi or non-posi rear. Just count the tire marks through your rear view mirror.

This was the preferred method we used to use, and didn't even require a jack. Just forgot to mention it earlier.

Larry

That's funny Larry! But will do the trick! I have to put the lube in first though . Did the posi units require that special posi lube like the newer cars or just use 90 wt multi purpose gear oil for both posi and non-posi?

Thx,

Jim

[Larry M.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

All GM posi's required the special posi lube. This is the small bottle....maybe 3-4 oz. bottle.

We often added 2 small bottles (versus 1 bottle recommended) just as a precaution. If adding, add one bottle, then about 1/2 the regular 80W-90 lube, then the second bottle, then the remainder of the 80W-90 lube.

Then go out and take a joy ride, and make a few hard right and hard left turns to mix things up. Or a few figure 8's.

Enjoy!!

Larry

[Jim D.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

How do I tell for sure that this car is not a posi car?
Jim

Look for the big "P" on the drivers side of the third member.

Jim

[James S.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

Jim:

Engine oil back during this time (1960) was typically straight weights like 10W, 20W-20, or 30, depending on outside temperature. Most of us ran 20W-20 throughout the year, but occasionally went to 30 in the summer. However, 10W-30 multi-weight is probably the best all-around oil for today.

Recommend 10W-30 or 15W-40 CJ-4 rated diesel oil for your car. Has the additives these old cars need for the flat-tappet cams. The 15W-40 is easiest to get in CJ-4...but 10W-30 CJ-4 can be found or special ordered. Either one will work well.

Regarding the rear axle, you can also jack up the rear so that both tires are off the ground. Rotate one, and if the other also rotates and goes in the same direction, you have a posi rear. If it doesn't rotate, or spins in the opposite direction, you have an conventional or "open" rear axle.

Larry

Thx Larry! While rotating the driver wheel, the passenger wheel rotated in the opposite direction, so she's an open. Had to make sure cause this car had a lot of mechanics work on her in the 50 years and I am ensuring every part is back to factory stock specs!!!

[James S.]

Re: Lube Concurrence 60 Vette

Look for the big "P" on the drivers side of the third member.

Jim

Thx Jim, that dilemma is solved thx to the Corvette Tech Forum folks!!!