First Oil Change

I use 20w50 there are many opinions on what oil. I use castrol gtx.
cliff

For Maine driving I would recommend GTX 10W40. You will realise better lubrication at startup than 20W50.

Best regards, Elio

I'm in MA, and I use Castrol GTX 20W50. The brand is less important to me than the weight. In an older engine I like having the heavier oil. Since I do most of my driving during the warm months, I don't need the thinner side of a multi viscosity oil.

I'm partial to Castrol 20w50.

David

I use Castrol GTX 20W-50.

There has been considerable chatter on the 'net about many 'modern' oils having reduced additives that our older engines supposedly need. IIRC, zinc is one of the additives that has been reduced in the modern "Energy Conserving" oils. These tend to be the lower weight oils spec'd by current auto manufacturers - esp the 5W-20, 5W-30 and probably the 10W-30 and maybe the 10W-40 oils. Look for a 'starburst' symbol on the container with 'Energy Conserving" or something similar printed there. Avoid those oils!

Another option are 'diesel' engine oils. They are usually a 15W-40 oil and are touted as good for our older engines. I use Shell Rotella synthetic (5w-40) in my motorcycle (Honda ST1100) as the additives are also needed for its integral gearbox and wet clutch.

After you've made up your mind on the weight of oil to use, make sure you get the right tools. You'll need a 27mm socket and a LARGE capacity catch pan! I was amazed how fast that old oil poured out of that 27mm drain hole, and of course my drain pan held about 6.5 of the 7 quarts that came out! Other than that it was a pretty straight forward oil change, except for the extra 3 quarts I had to add, as compared to the old VW's I'm used to working on.......Good luck!

7.2 quarts if it all comes out

Oh, be prepared for almost none of the 'low profile' drain pans to fit under there. (hint: try the pan first before breaking loose the plug only to find out you can't catch the volumous cascade of ish)

Tifosi said:

7.2 quarts if it all comes out

Oh, be prepared for almost none of the 'low profile' drain pans to fit under there. (hint: try the pan first before breaking loose the plug only to find out you can catch the volumous cascade of ish)

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Excellent idea, or just jack it up a bit under one of the spring pans

I use AGIP 20W-50.

Thanks guys for the inputs. I changed it today with 20w-50 GTX. Have a lift so it was pretty easy.

How about some pictures of your Alfa? We likes pictures. And a picture or two of the lift, too...

MAINELYALFA,

You've got a lift? How I wish I was your next door neighbour!!! Cheers buddy,

David

Has anyone tried Mobil 1 15W-50 or the extended performance (what ever that is) 15W-50?

MAINELYALFA said:

I changed it today with 20w-50 GTX. Have a lift so it was pretty easy.

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I guess we got a big shooter here guys.

some swear by synthetics, some at them. some claim more leaks with synth. I like castrol gtx 20w50.
cliff

landman said:

Has anyone tried Mobil 1 15W-50 or the extended performance (what ever that is) 15W-50?

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I'm using it in my '79. So far so good. Watch out for leaks though. It doesn't clot like dino juice. I ended up replacing most of my seals last year before I found that out. Heck some of them were probably 26 years old.

Drew

Everyone I know who has switched to a synthetic after more than 35K miles has had the pleasure of watching it oooze from every engine pore. I wouldn't do it.
I remember back in 1976 coming across a guy in Kent Ohio with an absolutely pristine Fiat spider. Asked him what oil he used and he said GTX 20-50. I used it in my Fait and now I use it in my Alfa. If it ain't broke don't mess with it. BTW the Fiat was not burning oil at 145K when I sold it. That convinved me.