1983 Chevrolet El Camino Oil Type & Capacity
The 1983 Chevrolet El Camino oil type depends on the engine: the Classic, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 takes 5W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 takes 5W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the SS, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the SS, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the SS, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the SS, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the SS, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the SS, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the SS, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 takes 5W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the SS, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 takes 5W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Classic, 3.8 9, 250C/M31: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 3.8 A, 250C/M31: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 5.0 H, 250C/M31: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 5.7 N, 250C/M31: 5W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2: 5W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- SS, 3.8 9, 250C/M31: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- SS, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- SS, 3.8 A, 250C/M31: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- SS, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- SS, 5.0 H, 250C/M31: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- SS, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- SS, 5.7 N, 250C/M31: 5W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- SS, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2: 5W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Classic, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Classic, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Classic, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Classic, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Classic, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Classic, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 — 5.7L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Classic, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 — 5.7L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SS, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SS, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SS, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SS, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SS, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| SS, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| SS, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 — 5.7L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SS, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 — 5.7L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to below 0Deg.F), 10W-30 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-30 motor oil on Amazon1983 Chevrolet El Camino oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your El Camino
1983 Chevrolet El Camino factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
15.0 quarts (14.19 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1983 Chevrolet El Camino take?
It depends on the engine: Classic, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 uses 5W-30; Classic, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 uses 5W-30; Classic, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 uses 5W-30; Classic, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 uses 5W-30; Classic, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 uses 5W-30; Classic, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 uses 5W-30; Classic, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 uses 5W-30; Classic, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 uses 5W-30; SS, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 uses 5W-30; SS, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 uses 5W-30; SS, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 uses 5W-30; SS, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 uses 5W-30; SS, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 uses 5W-30; SS, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 uses 5W-30; SS, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 uses 5W-30; SS, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1983 Chevrolet El Camino take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Classic, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; SS, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; SS, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; SS, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; SS, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; SS, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; SS, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; SS, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; SS, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 holds 7.0 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1983 Chevrolet El Camino?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1983 Chevrolet El Camino. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.