[toolman53]

The reference page for a 51 Buick`s oil, recomends using 10w oil. Will 10w 40 harm the motor for year round use,I`m from Buffalo NY and the temps dip below o*.This will be my first oil change on her and I`m also wondering about the oil filter, and if I should put oil in there during the refill? Capacities with filter are 5 1/2 quarts, is that correct? Thanks in advance for any info.

Toolman53

[1939_buick]

Try asking in Buick - General - AACA Forums
Question has been asked before

[mercman86]

A buddy of mine uses sae 30w in his 1948 Packard straight 8. I dont think 10w-30 will hurt anything.

[5219]

I use 10w40 in my 1940 LaSalle. It seems to agree with the car, but I don't run the car in winter time. If you drive in Buffalo in the winter, 10w30 might be a better choice.

I fill up my filter canister with oil after I change the element, but there is probably no reason to do this. In these old bypass systems, the oil goes to the camshaft and then to the filter. After being filtered, it drops into the sump.
Thus, there is no part of the engine that has to wait for oil until the filter is full.

Good Luck

[toolman53]

5219, thanks for your reply. I won`t be driving in the winter, but plan on letting her run once a week. I think I`ll be alright with the 10w40, the Reference books say to use heavy weight oil. The oil system sounds practical as far not having to wait for oil in any part,but I wonder about the filtering system and how good they are. Alot of cars are still running with that system,so it must be effective.
Thanks,Toolman53

[fraso]

Unless you're driving through Furnace Creek, there is usually no need to use excessively thick oils. My guess is that Buick specified a 30-weight oil for normal summer-time operation so I would continue to use a 30-weight oil. However, I would use a multi-grade (0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-30) rather than a straight SAE 30. Although a Starburst Oil would probably work fine, I would use a Heavy Duty Engine Oil (HDEO) instead.

ACCCC Engine Oil Article