A process for the preparation of oligomers which are used in synthetic lubricant base stocks. The oligomers are prepared by contacting a mixture of linear olefins and n-paraffins contained in cracked refinery streams having 6 to 24 carbon atoms with activated Y-zeolites. The oligomers and unreacted monomers are subjected to the step of hydrogenation and the lower saturated paraffins are separated therefrom to produce synthetic lubricant base stock.