should I use 20w50 synthetic in my 331 Stroker?

[svasica]

I'm wondering if its a good idea to use 20w50 in my 331 stroker, atleast during the spring and summer months in NJ?? That should reduce the friction greater since the 10w30 oil will be less viscous as it warms up. Also, my oil pressure does seem to go fairly low (20 psi at idle) when the engine is warm so I'm hoping 20w50 will help that. I know i'll lose a little power from the heavier oil but i can't be that bad can it?

 

[bluevenom867]

I run the 20W-50 down here,you might be better of with 10W-40.

Thicker oil doesnt hurt though.

 

[vristang]

At some point higher viscosity oil will not be able to get into the tighter clearance areas of the motor. The result would then be increased engine wear. I am not sure what viscosity this would be though. Just throwing it out for discussion.
I would think 20w50 would be ok.

jason

 

[HISSIN50]

Thicker oil actually has frictional issues over thinner oil, due to the increased viscosity. The extra heat generated mitigates the increased viscosity a little bit. Note that I am a guy who uses 20W-50, so that wasnt a complaint.

If your motor was built on the loose side (one might assume so given your reported idle pressure), the thicker stuff should be ok. If this is a fresh mill, ask your builder/machine guy.

IMHO you cant go too far wrong viscosity-wise with about any oil that's out there, when one is in mildish temps. Once it cools off, obviously is when one has to rethink things.

Just my two cents. Good luck.

 

[svasica]

Yea, my engine is definentaly NOT spec'd so I think the tighter clearances are a non issue with my engine. I'm thinking during the hot summer months here in Jersey i'll try and run 20w-50 and see how it goes. In the winter I may run 10w-40 (I now run 10w-30). Thanx.