1989 RV 454 - How much oil?

[Hair]

I have a 1989 carbureted 454 out of an RV that I put in my 71 GMC, getting ready to fire it up for the first time, so I put 5qts of oil in it. I thought that was that but it did not even register on the dipstick... BUT, the RV engine had a ton of smog garbage all over the top of it, and it had a dipstick that was a mile long that routed up thru all that mess. I ditched the old dipstick along with all the smog stuff. I bought a new chrome dipstick for a bbc and put in it. So I do not know if the dipstick is off and I need to trim down the tube until it reads full, or if it takes more than 5 quarts. I assumed that all BBC's held 5 quarts of oil unless they had an oil cooler, deeper pan, or something special??

[AussieinNC]

Most 454's take 7 quarts...plus another quart if the engine has an oil cooler in the system.

Did you buy a matching dipstick and tube unit?

Do not cut the dipstick tube down...its is matched to the dipstick....

5 quarts would hardly register on a dipstick...

[Hair]

Yes, the dipstick and tube are a matched set.
Wow! 7 quarts? I never knew that.

[Hair]

Ok, I filled the oil filter and screwed it on and I have 7 quarts total in the engine. The oil is at the first mark where it says "ADD". I think one more quart will put it to full, but that will be 8 quarts. Shall I put 8 in, or trim down the dipstick tube?

[AussieinNC]

Add the extra quart....

Some 454's had deeper pans....

Start the engine, run for a few minutes then shut it down and recheck oil level.

[kwmech]

RV pan on my 68---8 quarts with the longer filter. Took 6 just to hit the bottom of the stick

[gvw5400]

I worked at a RV rental and sales dealer back in the 90's.
The P-30 chassis 454's held 7 quarts including 1 Qt. filter and oil cooler.
The fleet included Model years 1989-1994.
Keep an eye on the right exhaust manifold rear most bolt to the head,
it seems to shear off due to heat expansion.
Not too fun to repair!!!

All the Best
Dirk

[Hair]

Ok:
5 QTs - No register
6 Qts - Barely showed on the dipstick
7 Qts - Hit the "ADD" mark
8 Qts - Put it about 1/4" above the "FULL" mark.
Sounds like it's very close to what Kwmech says.
Have not started engine yet - still working on wiring.
At this point, I am not going to worry about it until I get it started and let it run for a while, then after it all settles, check it again. I am guessing that 7.5 quarts is the magic number. It DID have an oil cooler when it was in the RV and the oil pan does look bigger than normal.

gvw5400 - I took the manifold off and installed headers. I wanted to use the manifolds, but they had all of them plugs and tubes and garbage in them, I gave up trying to plug up all that crap and just bought a cheap set of headers when I put the motor in my truck.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by Hair

Ok:
5 QTs - No register
6 Qts - Barely showed on the dipstick
7 Qts - Hit the "ADD" mark
8 Qts - Put it about 1/4" above the "FULL" mark.
Sounds like it's very close to what Kwmech says.
Have not started engine yet - still working on wiring.
At this point, I am not going to worry about it until I get it started and let it run for a while, then after it all settles, check it again. I am guessing that 7.5 quarts is the magic number. It DID have an oil cooler when it was in the RV and the oil pan does look bigger than normal.

gvw5400 - I took the manifold off and installed headers. I wanted to use the manifolds, but they had all of them plugs and tubes and garbage in them, I gave up trying to plug up all that crap and just bought a cheap set of headers when I put the motor in my truck.

When the engine starts it will completely fill the oil filter and drop the oil level a little.

[Hair]

I finally got the engine started today - I am so excited!!! It runs like a top. I put 2.5" duals out the back with Cherry Bomb Vortecs and it sounds so awesome!!! Pretty mellow at idle, but super bad when its revved up. Anyway, after running, the oil fell down to right on the "FULL" mark with 8 qts.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by Hair

I finally got the engine started today - I am so excited!!! It runs like a top. I put 2.5" duals out the back with Cherry Bomb Vortecs and it sounds so awesome!!! Pretty mellow at idle, but super bad when its revved up. Anyway, after running, the oil fell down to right on the "FULL" mark with 8 qts.

Great news...thanks for the feedback....

[vince1]

Our Volvo 3.2 L (195 cu in) I-6 takes that much and the change interval is 12k kms (7500 mi). How long between oil changes on the 454?

[gvw5400]

Great news it's running and sounding great!!
All the best, Dirk