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st - 18 Oct 2007 14:11 GMT

Hello,
I have a 1985 fleetwood Southwind RV on carfax It says its a 1984
chevy p30 with a 454 ... How much oil should I put in the motor? the
dipstick is either too long or the tube got pinched down below
somehow....I have heard between 6-8.. but I'd like to know exactly..
Chevy doesnt know and Fleetwood recomends me talk to chevy...
thanks

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Matt Colie - 18 Oct 2007 17:01 GMT

ST,

You have a problem (I think you knew part of that).

Short answer - Start with 6 - I believe that was the smallest pan in
that period, but read on - Please

Do Not over fill the oil. The crank will dip in it and cause foaming
that will make oil hang places it should not and this may allow the
blow-by to carry it out the crankcase vent.

Big Blocks of that period had a number of different oil pans available,
and each may be associated with a different dipstick (we call it an oil
level indicator to keep it from being confused with any specific
individual) and tube set. And - Then there were different stick and
tube sets that may be used with a single oil pan.

A GM truck dealer may be able help if find one with the patience to deal
with it. If he isn't sure, bother a couple of the older mechanics.
Remember, most of the mechanics are working flat-rate so your time is
their money at least offer any that help the price of a local draft for
his time.

Good Luck Guy
Matt

> Hello,
> I have a 1985 fleetwood Southwind RV on carfax It says its a 1984
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Chevy doesnt know and Fleetwood recomends me talk to chevy...
> thanks

Reply to this Message

SnoMan - 18 Oct 2007 23:53 GMT

>Short answer - Start with 6 - I believe that was the smallest pan in
>that period, but read on - Please

At least 6 with a filter change. Most coaches have stock pans on them
which hold this amount

>Do Not over fill the oil. The crank will dip in it and cause foaming
>that will make oil hang places it should not and this may allow the
>blow-by to carry it out the crankcase vent.

Overfills are kinda over rated. Granted it can cause damge to seals
and such put it takes a pretty good overfill to do so (usually 35 to
50% extra)

>Big Blocks of that period had a number of different oil pans available,
>and each may be associated with a different dipstick (we call it an oil
>level indicator to keep it from being confused with any specific
>individual) and tube set. And - Then there were different stick and
>tube sets that may be used with a single oil pan.

Most big block pan held 6 quarts with a filter. Some where shaped
differently for different apps byt they held the same amount. Some
used in HD trucks (C4500 thru C8500) had 8 or 10 quart pans but they
had deep sumps are are easy to ID.

>A GM truck dealer may be able help if find one with the patience to deal
>with it. If he isn't sure, bother a couple of the older mechanics.
>Remember, most of the mechanics are working flat-rate so your time is
>their money at least offer any that help the price of a local draft for
>his time.

In you get engine number usually stamped on block near end of
cyclinder head on draive side bank you can find out what series engine
you have at a dealer and should be able to fix you up with correct
stick.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

Reply to this Message

Matt Colie - 19 Oct 2007 00:32 GMT

>> Short answer - Start with 6 - I believe that was the smallest pan in
>> that period, but read on - Please
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> and such put it takes a pretty good overfill to do so (usually 35 to
> 50% extra)

I agree - read down page.

>> Big Blocks of that period had a number of different oil pans available,
>> and each may be associated with a different dipstick (we call it an oil
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> used in HD trucks (C4500 thru C8500) had 8 or 10 quart pans but they
> had deep sumps are are easy to ID.

<<< This is why you should buy the beer for a native guide.>>>>>

>> A GM truck dealer may be able help if find one with the patience to deal
>> with it. If he isn't sure, bother a couple of the older mechanics.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com

Actually SnoMan, when we have done oil consumption tests (these get done
a lot in this world). We see very significantly increased consumption
with an over fill.

It does take extended (25-50hrs) of running with a maintained overfill
to do any real damage. The all time worst was when the old rope seal
engines were filled so the lube level was at the seal. Oil would run
out with them standing still. If even it those seals leak, they usually
stop or decrease a bunch when the level is brought back. The worst
things are oil fouling the intake with the carry over in the blow-by
(this can kill an O2 sensor - why EPA has mandated lower ZDDP) and
possibly coking up the rings because the oil control set can't deal with
the over load and the assault from the carry over in the intake.

Good luck
Matt

Reply to this Message

SnoMan - 19 Oct 2007 01:22 GMT

>Actually SnoMan, when we have done oil consumption tests (these get done
>a lot in this world). We see very significantly increased consumption
>with an over fill.

I have a old tractor and large lawn tractor that i have been over
filling for years on purpose by about 15% to 20%. I have done this
because they operate on some very unlevel ground at times (up and down
hill and side slopes up to 40 degrees at times) so I want a little
extra in there to make sure pump stays wet. I have not suffered any
ill effects from this in many years of doing this. I started doing
this when I observed oil press flux a few times on tractor first time
I had it on these hills. I also over fill transmission as well because
there was a time or two it sounded a bit dry briefly at stock level on
hill sides. After overfilling it it has stayed quiet too. BTW, this
tractor is 50 years old now and been doing this for 20 years and it
does not leak nor do I have to usually add to it each season averaging
30 to 40 hours of usage each year. It is changed once a year. (BTW,
engine holds 5 quarts and I use 6 and tranny holds 6.5 quarts and I
use 8 qts)

>It does take extended (25-50hrs) of running with a maintained overfill
>to do any real damage. The all time worst was when the old rope seal
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>possibly coking up the rings because the oil control set can't deal with
>the over load and the assault from the carry over in the intake.

Again it takes a pretty good overfill to do this and it usually takes
some higher RPM too to create some windage to start to whip and foam
the oil which can over presurize case and blow seals. The point is, a
1 quart over fill is not going to hurt anything and actually it is
better than a 1 quart underfill because the extra oil has more pan
time for cooling.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

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HD Matt - 23 Oct 2007 17:49 GMT

> >> Short answer - Start with 6 - I believe that was the smallest pan in
> >> that period, but read on - Please
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
> Good luck
> Matt

When changing the oil it holds 7 quarts total, including filter.

Signature

Matt
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JerryD(upstateNY) - 24 Oct 2007 14:04 GMT

HD Matt" <nospammbode@multiprintinc.comnospam> wrote in message
When changing the oil it holds 7 quarts total, including filter.<<<<<<<<

My Georgie Boy's 454 has a cylinder shaped device between the engine and
where the filter attaches.
Two lines leave the device.
I haven't followed the lines yet but I assume they go to an oil cooler.
Is this stock or something someone added ?

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

Reply to this Message

SnoMan - 24 Oct 2007 16:19 GMT

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:04:36 -0400, "JerryD\(upstateNY\)"
<JerryD@anywhere> wrote:

>My Georgie Boy's 454 has a cylinder shaped device between the engine and
>where the filter attaches.
>Two lines leave the device.
>I haven't followed the lines yet but I assume they go to an oil cooler.
>Is this stock or something someone added ?

GM has been using external oil cooler on it engines in HD applications
for many many years. Even my old 89 burb has a factory external oil
cooler. GM used to have them as stand a lone exteranal air based
coolers but in recent years have switched over to internal radiator
tank mounted ones. The problem with this design is that they are in
the tank on hot side of radiator and cannot cool oil below coolant
temp and when coolant temp is high so is oil. A external air cooler
one cools oil even when engine itself is running hot and provides a
little more safety factor.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

Reply to this Message

Hugh - 24 Oct 2007 21:22 GMT

snipped

> GM has been using external oil cooler on it engines in HD applications
> for many many years. Even my old 89 burb has a factory external oil
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com

Are you talking about tranny coolers? Many companies have been putting
them in as standard equipment but I've never heard of an engine oil
cooler being routed to the radiator. Doesn't even make sense.
Hugh

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Bill - 24 Oct 2007 16:57 GMT

Could it be a bypass filter?
Does it look like the canister can be opened?

> HD Matt" <nospammbode@multiprintinc.comnospam> wrote in message
> When changing the oil it holds 7 quarts total, including filter.<<<<<<<<
>
> My Georgie Boy's 454 has a cylinder shaped device between the engine and
> Two lines leave the device.

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