Couple questions about my new Olds.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 82
From: VA
Couple questions about my new Olds.
I just got a '56 Olds that the previous owner was running 30 wt oil in it.
Motor is a 324 cui and automatic transmission.
I need to change the rear main, and I'm wondering if I should put 30 wt back in there or if I can change to 10W40 which is what I'm running in my truck.
That way I wouldn't have to stock two different weights.
How about the transmission? Is it safe to just add ATF (most likely different brand) or should I change the whole thing if I need to add any?
I heard people say that once they started mess with old transmissions, the just had problems from there on.
Also I need to bleed the non power brakes.
Is it safe to just add DOT3 to it, or should the whole system be flushed?
Thanks a lot,
Martin
Motor is a 324 cui and automatic transmission.
I need to change the rear main, and I'm wondering if I should put 30 wt back in there or if I can change to 10W40 which is what I'm running in my truck.
That way I wouldn't have to stock two different weights.
How about the transmission? Is it safe to just add ATF (most likely different brand) or should I change the whole thing if I need to add any?
I heard people say that once they started mess with old transmissions, the just had problems from there on.
Also I need to bleed the non power brakes.
Is it safe to just add DOT3 to it, or should the whole system be flushed?
Thanks a lot,
Martin
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,496
From: Poteau, Ok
I just got a '56 Olds that the previous owner was running 30 wt oil in it.
Motor is a 324 cui and automatic transmission.
I need to change the rear main, and I'm wondering if I should put 30 wt back in there or if I can change to 10W40 which is what I'm running in my truck.
That way I wouldn't have to stock two different weights.
10w40 should be fine? What type of oil are you currently using.
How about the transmission? Is it safe to just add ATF (most likely different brand) or should I change the whole thing if I need to add any?
I heard people say that once they started mess with old transmissions, the just had problems from there on.
Any forward spec ATF for your trans should be fine!
Also I need to bleed the non power brakes.
Is it safe to just add DOT3 to it, or should the whole system be flushed?
If you brake fluid looks contaminated, then I would certainly flush it. DOT3 is whats recommended for your car.
Thanks a lot,
Martin
Motor is a 324 cui and automatic transmission.
I need to change the rear main, and I'm wondering if I should put 30 wt back in there or if I can change to 10W40 which is what I'm running in my truck.
That way I wouldn't have to stock two different weights.
10w40 should be fine? What type of oil are you currently using.
How about the transmission? Is it safe to just add ATF (most likely different brand) or should I change the whole thing if I need to add any?
I heard people say that once they started mess with old transmissions, the just had problems from there on.
Any forward spec ATF for your trans should be fine!
Also I need to bleed the non power brakes.
Is it safe to just add DOT3 to it, or should the whole system be flushed?
If you brake fluid looks contaminated, then I would certainly flush it. DOT3 is whats recommended for your car.
Thanks a lot,
Martin
Oldsdruid
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,629
From: Southside Vajenya
Use Dexron in the HydraMatic. Topping it off with any brand should cause no issues. The original HydraMatic fluid actually contained whale oil which is one reason it stunk so bad if it got burnt a little bit, but GM has recommended Dexron for use in their earlier automatics for years. Not that anyone there now would have a clue about a HydraMatic.
Hard to say on the oil. One mind says it shouldn't have any effect, but I also remember the oil related cam failures of the early 80s- bad enough that GM issued a tech bulletin specifically stating do not use 10w40 in those years engines. The 56 was noted for having soft cams anyway so I wouldn't really do much to aggravate that.
Hard to say on the oil. One mind says it shouldn't have any effect, but I also remember the oil related cam failures of the early 80s- bad enough that GM issued a tech bulletin specifically stating do not use 10w40 in those years engines. The 56 was noted for having soft cams anyway so I wouldn't really do much to aggravate that.
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