i change the oil on my 70 elcamino (396 clone)twice a year. in november before i put it away, and in may when i take it out. i change the filter each time as well. i drive it about 1,500 miles each year (on fridays to work if its nice, about 10 miles each way, in the summer and to some local cruize events).

when i went to put it away this november, i took it for a 45 minute ride to get everything warmed up, before i changed the oil. after ot cooled a bit about an hour later, i changed the oil and when i drained it, the oil smelled funny. usually it has a slight (very slight) burned smell to it, but this time it smelled bad. kid of like natural gas?? it looked fine. very clean. clear, not dirty. it just smelled different than normal. i could smell it while it was in the drain pan it was so strong (even in the garage). i changed it and the smell went away.

any ideas?
normally i use valeline, but the previous may i used castrol (for the first time).... does it have anything to do with this? also, i flushed and filled the radiator and the coolant looked perfect.

what do you guys think? :confused:

I haven't used Castrol in a long time, but it used to have a very distinctive smell when it was hot. "CASTOR-OIL" smell. Howard, Miami