383 engine - oil capacity dilemma

[OzCharger69]

I read online that the 383 with standard pan should take 6 quarts with a filter change.

I emptied every last drop of oil from the motor, left it dripping for days without a filter, tilting the car front and back. I filled up 6 quarts, ran the motor and the dipstick was reading at least 1/4" overfilled. That's with a Lokar dipstick. Oil pressure sits at max when cold and doesn't drop when warm. At idle the needle sits in the middle.

I removed 1 quart of oil and the dipstick is reading on full now, as pictured. I'll check what the oil pressure reads now. Any ideas? Could it be that the reach of the Lokar dipstick is incorrect. Thanks in advance

 

[Red63440]

5 quarts with a filter change….not 6.

 

[OzCharger69]

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/oil_coolant_capacity/1969/530900/chrysler_383.html

4.7 liter / 5 U.S. qt / 4.1 imp. qt


plus 0.9 liter / 1 qt for filter change

I went off this

 

[turbine68rt]

Note that the publisher presented the information "as is" with no guarantees. Check your owner's manual or service manual for accurate info.

 

[440Coronet500]

Your typical oil filter doesn't hold a whole quart of oil. As previously stated, 5 quarts with filter. 440'

 

[Potts]

No dilemma..
Never heard of 6 quarts.
I've always ran 5 qts with the filter change on any standard US made production car. Very few took an extra qt.
I can't see why he would believe this guy anyway? Lol

 

[69hemibeep]

Always been 5. Almost a standard on V8s of the day.

 

[bee71]

Standard 402 pan on 383's 5 quarts with filter.

 

[Cranky]

Unless you have the 6 pack or Hemi oil pan. IIRC, they were 6 with filter......that's not a standard pan with the 383 though.

 

[33 IMP]

The info you went off of is simply wrong. Four in the pan, plus the filter, which may not be a full quart, depending on which filter is used.

 

[Potts]

This poor OP is in Australia, he's gonna wake up and see these posts.
It's not his fault he's going by a guy from Poland, blogging about a 383 in South Africa.
But glad he's finally got the correct info.

 

[dadsbee]

4 of our good quarts has my 402 pan to the full mark on an OE dipstick and tube, WITH a filter change. Filter off, and filter right back on.. this fool don't let a pump drain...

 

[RJRENTON]

Unless you have the 6 pack or Hemi oil pan. IIRC, they were 6 with filter......that's not a standard pan with the 383 though.

I concur....for my application, RS23V0A******, I have a high volume pump and the standard windage tray and six barrel oil pan and six quarts puts it a tad (~ 1/8") over the full mark, with the std Mopar dipstick. But, IMO, because of the high volume oil pump, when the level gets down to the full mark, I'll add a quart.....too much oil ???....maybe....at 6000 RPM, how much oil is actually in the pan, covering the pick up?.....but oil's cheaper than bearings....BTW, I use Mobil One 10W-30 with 8 oz ZDDP and Wix 51515R filter. Just a thought....
BOB RENTON

 

[Ironbuilt]

5 quarts of oil. Start the engine, run for a few minutes. Shut down engine and allow oil to return to pan. Check oil level.
Been doing it the same way since I learned to do my first oil change.

 

[OzCharger69]

This poor OP is in Australia, he's gonna wake up and see these posts.
It's not his fault he's going by a guy from Poland, blogging about a 383 in South Africa.
But glad he's finally got the correct info.

lol

Thanks for the info. That solves the dilemma. 5 quarts it is

 

[MoparGuy68]

4 of our good quarts has my 402 pan to the full mark on an OE dipstick and tube, WITH a filter change. Filter off, and filter right back on.. this fool don't let a pump drain...

Only 4 quarts total capacity with which filter size (OEM 1068 or the longer length 1515)? I have a NAPA Gold 1515 filter on my 383 (with 402 pan and OE dipstick & tube).

I’m way past due to change my oil (based on time, not mileage). I can’t remember how much it took to reach the full mark, but I’m thinking mine might have taken only 4 quarts, like yours.

How frequently do you change yours?

I’ve recently read that regardless of how little mileage you drive your classic car, the oil should still be changed every 6 months. Mine has only been driven about 200 miles since last oil change, but that was over 1.5 years ago..

 

[33 IMP]

Agree with Moparguy68. I'd put in 4.5 quarts, fire it to circulate the new oil, pull the dipstick, and top off if necessary. Depends a lot on which filter you use. There are 1/2qt, full qt, and 1 1/2 qt filters available.

 

[mopar 3 B]

I concur....for my application, RS23V0A******, I have a high volume pump and the standard windage tray and six barrel oil pan and six quarts puts it a tad (~ 1/8") over the full mark, with the std Mopar dipstick. But, IMO, because of the high volume oil pump, when the level gets down to the full mark, I'll add a quart.....too much oil ???....maybe....at 6000 RPM, how much oil is actually in the pan, covering the pick up?.....but oil's cheaper than bearings....BTW, I use Mobil One 10W-30 with 8 oz ZDDP and Wix 51515R filter. Just a thought....
BOB RENTON

Next time the oil gets changed it will have to be checked. But don't think 6 will do it. It's not a stock or aftermarket pan. But your correct oil is cheap.

 

[Ranger16]

I’ve recently read that regardless of how little mileage you drive your classic car, the oil should still be changed every 6 months.

Maybe if your rings are so worn that it smokes like a steam locomotive.