Mndello information on the olds 455 engine

T

thomas g. warner

New member
Mar 24, 1998
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Just received all of the technical data and parts information from Joe
Mondello. If some of you remember I had several conversations with him via
telephone recently about the 455 engine and other parts of the GMC
motorhome. I have known about him for years, from the hotrod days, but
honestly did not know of his involvement in the GMC motorhome part. Wow!
Was I surprised at the wealth of ideas and parts available to us through
him. He not only gives specific recommendations but backs it up with facts
to support it.

Once example. I use Castrol 10W-30 motor oil in the 455. I have noticed
that when it idles the oil pressure drops almost to 0!. Never concerned me
yet since the engine is so smooth and idles so nice, with no noise in the
rockers etc.

Guess what his tech data says? DON'T USE 10W-30 MOTOROIL in the 455! Why?
large diameter rod and main bearing surfaces, with oil at 195-210 degrees it
is very difficult to fill the area between the mating parts. The oil
becomes so thin that the oil pump cannot supply oil fast enough to keep the
oil pressure up. He recommends 20W-50 motoroil, unless you drive in the
winter.He says that we should have 35-45 # of oil pressure at idle and 55-65
at full throttle. And guess what? He recommends mobil 1!!! No engine
failures for him while using it.

remember the discussion we had on thermostats? He recommends 180 degrees
for non smog engines and 195 degrees for smoggers.

And finally he has a cast iron water pump that delivers 30% more flow at
idle and 20% more flow at 3500 RPM than any other pumpo on the market
(Mondello part # WP-455)

Have to go back to reading now. to interesting.
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
>Tom
>
>Which Mobile 1 does he recommend? I am running 15 W 50. Just
>would like to hear what the bigboys are saying.
>
>Take Care
>Arch 76 GB IL

I used Mobile 1 15-W-50 the last time I changed the oil too, Arch. It sure
helped my oil pressure come up 'and' my oil consumption went down
considerably also.

>In a message dated 2/10/99 2:32:45 PM Central Standard Time, warner
>writes:
>
>> He recommends 20W-50 motoroil, unless you drive in the
>> winter.He says that we should have 35-45 # of oil pressure at idle and
>55-65
>> at full throttle. And guess what? He recommends mobil 1!!! No engine
>> failures for him while using it.
>>
 
>Billy
>
>WAHOOO!!! I am glad to hear that. How many miles on the engine?
>When I first mentioned Mobile 1 I thought I was going to get strung-up
>by my thumbs. Even got accused of working for Mobile Oil. Just nice
>to hear somebody agrees with me. Thanks for letting us know Billy.
>Thats two now.

My 455's got 86k on it. It used to use a quart of 10-30 approximatly every
1,000 miles. Looks like I'm gonna get 2,000 miles on it before adding any
this time though.

To my knowledge, the only thing that's been done to it besides tune-up
parts is a new water pump. (I'm wondering if the timing chain and gear was
changed at that time, ....I hope so.)
 
Arch,

We're using it too. Before we rebuilt, we were using a quart of 20/50
dinosaur oil about every gas stop. We broke the rebuilt motor in with
20/50 dino oil and switched over to the Mobil 1 15/50 synthetic after about
3,000 miles or so. We went from using a quart every 2 gas stops (~560
miles) with the dino oil to using one about every 5 gas stops or so (~1200
miles) with the synthetic even though it is only 15/50. This is all towing
the trailer. Apparently, the synthetic keeps its consistency much better
when hot and there is also not as much stuff that evaporates. I have heard
and do believe that Redline synthetic oil is better than Mobil 1, but at 2X
the cost and 10X the problems finding it, we decided that Mobil 1 was the
best choice for us.

Zak

>Billy
>
>WAHOOO!!! I am glad to hear that. How many miles on the engine?
>When I first mentioned Mobile 1 I thought I was going to get strung-up
>by my thumbs. Even got accused of working for Mobile Oil. Just nice
>to hear somebody agrees with me. Thanks for letting us know Billy.
>Thats two now.
>
>Take Care
>Arch 76 GB IL
 
Syntec is recommended by Joe Mondello, as are all of the synthetics.

>In a message dated 2/11/99 7:35:51 PM Central Standard Time, Gcbr
>writes:
>
> I would say that it may well be. Mobile had to be looking at a bigger
> market than Redline. >>
>
>Any opinions on Castrol synthetic 20w-50?? Hard to find Redline or Mobile
>around here.
>Lanier
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
> I would say that it may well be. Mobile had to be looking at a bigger
> market than Redline. >>
>
>Any opinions on Castrol synthetic 20w-50?? Hard to find Redline or Mobile
>around here.
>Lanier
>

No opinion but I use Castrol synthetic 5w-50. (Readily available at Costco
around here).

Good? Bad? [g]

Heinz
 
Lanier,

The only problem I have with the Castrol Syntec is that, IIRC, it only
comes in one grade 5w-50. That means that a bigger percentage of the
ingredients of the oil are used for viscosity and not for lubrication.
Even the Mobil 1 that we use, however, is 15w-50 instead of 20w-50. I'm
not sure if this is a problem for synthetics, but I have heard that it is
for dino oil. The lower weights are good for cold starts, but our GMC
doesn't get used all that often in the cold. Once it is started, our trips
are usually quite long (only stopping for gas), so we are almost always
using the hot properties of the oil.

On a side note, I'm surprised it is harder to find Mobil 1 by you. That
has been the most consistently available oil for us everywhere we have
looked. Autozone (one finally opened near us) even carries the Mobil 1
synthetic trans fluid and gear oil). The Redline pretty much has to be
ordered as very few places carry it. At $8 a quart, I don't think it would
matter to us how available it was anyway :).

Zak

>In a message dated 2/11/99 7:35:51 PM Central Standard Time, Gcbr
>writes:
>
> I would say that it may well be. Mobile had to be looking at a bigger
> market than Redline. >>
>
>Any opinions on Castrol synthetic 20w-50?? Hard to find Redline or Mobile
>around here.
>Lanier
>
 
Lanier,

You're right about the difficulty in finding the Mobil 1 grease. I haven't
seen anyone selling it near us either. I think the new Autozone is
supposed to have it now though (there is an empty spot on the shelf labeled
for it). The oil should be much easier to find (Kmart, Walmart, etc) than
the grease though.

We switched our new Honda generator over to Mobil 1 synthetic (10w-40 I
think) as well after a little break in period on dino oil.

Zak

>In a message dated 2/12/99 9:49:28 AM Central Standard Time, zakz
>writes:
>
> The only problem I have with the Castrol Syntec is that, IIRC, it only
> comes in one grade 5w-50. >>
>
>Zak,
>Yep, you're right - I had to go out to the shop and verify that mine is
5W-50.
>I had assumed it was 10W or 20W. I've been running 20W-50 fino in engine and
>10W-40 in Onan. On advice of Bob Sikorsky, I've started adding 1 qt synthetic
>to each at oil change - he says it does almost as much good without the extra
>cost, but based on the thread here, I'm switching to total synthetic next
>change. Guess I've been looking in wrong places for Mobile - requested Mobile
>grease for bearings when I lost the wheel recently, but was told the only
>place they could get it required buying a whole case - I should have taken
the
>case, but didn't.
>Thanks
>Lanier
>
 
I was told by a friend that if you call Mobil they will have a case sent to
your parts supplier.

>Lanier,
>
>You're right about the difficulty in finding the Mobil 1 grease. I haven't
>seen anyone selling it near us either. I think the new Autozone is
>supposed to have it now though (there is an empty spot on the shelf labeled
>for it). The oil should be much easier to find (Kmart, Walmart, etc) than
>the grease though.
>
>We switched our new Honda generator over to Mobil 1 synthetic (10w-40 I
>think) as well after a little break in period on dino oil.
>
>Zak
>
>

>>In a message dated 2/12/99 9:49:28 AM Central Standard Time, zakz
>>writes:
>>
>>> The only problem I have with the Castrol Syntec is that, IIRC, it only
>> comes in one grade 5w-50. >>
>>
>>Zak,
>>Yep, you're right - I had to go out to the shop and verify that mine is
>5W-50.
>>I had assumed it was 10W or 20W. I've been running 20W-50 fino in engine and
>>10W-40 in Onan. On advice of Bob Sikorsky, I've started adding 1 qt synthetic
>>to each at oil change - he says it does almost as much good without the extra
>>cost, but based on the thread here, I'm switching to total synthetic next
>>change. Guess I've been looking in wrong places for Mobile - requested Mobile
>>grease for bearings when I lost the wheel recently, but was told the only
>>place they could get it required buying a whole case - I should have taken
>the
>>case, but didn't.
>>Thanks
>>Lanier
>>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Was that Prolock or Prolong?????????

>-- [ From: chief evaluator * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>
>I did get a mondello, since I was at Mondelo's shop and they installed
>it. I now have 2000 miles on the motor.
>
>They used torco and they gave me the oil for the first oil change at
>1000 miles. I asked them about Syn, and they said they do not recommend
>the syn oil and that if you change your oil every 3000 miles there is no
>reason to use the syn oil. They did recommend using Prolock additive
>and gave me a kit of this to add at the first oil change.
>
>This is why I asked them. Feel free to use my name if you want to
>inquire about the oil.
>
>I asked them why there was no thermostat in the motor just a restrictor,
>and they said thermostats fail and restrictors flow more coolant.
>
>As Arch would say "this is what I know"
>
>gene
>
>-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
>
>Date: Monday, 15-Feb-99 09:21 AM
>
>From: Thomas G. Warner \ Internet: (warner)
>To: chief evaluator \ PRODIGY: (JDDP32B)
>
>Subject: Re: GMC: Mndello information on the olds 455 engine
>
>You did not get a Joe Mondello motor than. They recommend a thermostat
>and synthetic oils. he uses synthetics exclusively in his twister.
>
>Where was the shop?
>
>At 09:28 PM 2/14/99 -0500, you wrote: >-- [ From: chief evaluator * EMC.
>Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>>
>>Hummmm I just got a Mondello motor and they told me NOT TO USE SYN
>>oils and they do not put in a thermostat, they use a restrictor (does
>>not ever fail) . I wonder is there is more than one Mondello? I went
>>to their facility to get the work done.
>>gene
>>
>>-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
>>
>>Date: Friday, 12-Feb-99 08:46 AM
>>
>>From: Thomas G. Warner \ Internet: (warner)
>>To: gmclist \ Internet:
>(gmcmotorhome
>>.org)
>>
>>Subject: Re: GMC: Mndello information on the olds 455 engine
>>
>>Syntec is recommended by Joe Mondello, as are all of the synthetics.
>>
>>
>>

>>>In a message dated 2/11/99 7:35:51 PM Central Standard Time, Gcbr
>>com
>>>writes:
>>>
>>>>> I would say that it may well be. Mobile had to be looking at a bigger
>>> market than Redline. >>
>>>
>>>Any opinions on Castrol synthetic 20w-50?? Hard to find Redline or
>>Mobile
>>>around here.
>>>Lanier
>>>
>>>
>>Tom & Marg Warner
>>Vernon Center NY
>>1976 palmbeach
>>
>>
>>
>>-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
>>
>>
>>
>>
>Tom & Marg Warner
>Vernon Center NY
>1976 palmbeach
>
>
>
>-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
>
 
What does the Prolock additive do? Can you give more info. on Prolock?
Herm

>
> Was that Prolock or Prolong?????????
>

> >-- [ From: chief evaluator * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
> >
> >I did get a mondello, since I was at Mondelo's shop and they
installed
> >it. I now have 2000 miles on the motor.
> >
> >They used torco and they gave me the oil for the first oil change at
> >1000 miles. I asked them about Syn, and they said they do not
recommend
> >the syn oil and that if you change your oil every 3000 miles there
is no
> >reason to use the syn oil. They did recommend using Prolock
additive
> >and gave me a kit of this to add at the first oil change.
> >
> >This is why I asked them. Feel free to use my name if you want to
> >inquire about the oil.
> >
> >I asked them why there was no thermostat in the motor just a
restrictor,
> >and they said thermostats fail and restrictors flow more coolant.
> >
> >As Arch would say "this is what I know"
> >
> >gene
> >
> >-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
> >
> >Date: Monday, 15-Feb-99 09:21 AM
> >
> >From: Thomas G. Warner \ Internet: (warner)
> >To: chief evaluator \ PRODIGY: (JDDP32B)
> >
> >Subject: Re: GMC: Mndello information on the olds 455 engine
> >
> >You did not get a Joe Mondello motor than. They recommend a
thermostat
> >and synthetic oils. he uses synthetics exclusively in his twister.
> >
> >Where was the shop?
> >
> >At 09:28 PM 2/14/99 -0500, you wrote: >-- [ From: chief evaluator *
EMC.
> >Ver #2.5.3 ] --
> >>
> >>Hummmm I just got a Mondello motor and they told me NOT TO USE SYN
> >>oils and they do not put in a thermostat, they use a restrictor
(does
> >>not ever fail) . I wonder is there is more than one Mondello? I
went
> >>to their facility to get the work done.
> >>gene
> >>
> >>-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
> >>
> >>Date: Friday, 12-Feb-99 08:46 AM
> >>
> >>From: Thomas G. Warner \ Internet: (warner)
> >>To: gmclist \ Internet:
> >(gmcmotorhome
> >>.org)
> >>
> >>Subject: Re: GMC: Mndello information on the olds 455 engine
> >>
> >>Syntec is recommended by Joe Mondello, as are all of the synthetics.
> >>
> >>
> >>

> >>>In a message dated 2/11/99 7:35:51 PM Central Standard Time,
Gcbr
> >>com
> >>>writes:
> >>>
> >>> >>> I would say that it may well be. Mobile had to be looking at a
bigger
> >>> market than Redline. >>
> >>>
> >>>Any opinions on Castrol synthetic 20w-50?? Hard to find Redline or
> >>Mobile
> >>>around here.
> >>>Lanier
> >>>
> >>>
> >>Tom & Marg Warner
> >>Vernon Center NY
> >>1976 palmbeach
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >Tom & Marg Warner
> >Vernon Center NY
> >1976 palmbeach
> >
> >
> >
> >-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
> >
>

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