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AR15.COM
6/20/2007 8:36:04 PM EDT
What's the best oil to use for breaking in a newly installed crate engine?

The engine is a Chevy 350 High Output.
6/20/2007 8:42:51 PM EDT
[#1]
standard engine oil.

Change at 500 miles or 10 hours and then every 5k.

Pick a brand and stick with it.
6/20/2007 9:07:33 PM EDT
[#2]
every gear head will tell you something different.

Georgia is right on the money for the most part.

Oh, and RESIST THE URGE TO REDLINE IT RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE.


6/20/2007 9:08:03 PM EDT
[#3]
double post.


6/21/2007 1:02:23 PM EDT
[#4]
Depends.

Flat tappet or roller cam?
6/21/2007 1:14:03 PM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:
every gear head will tell you something different.

Georgia is right on the money for the most part.

Oh, and RESIST THE URGE TO REDLINE IT RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE.




good advice, but you will need to break the piston rings in and that requires good CYL. pressure early in the engines life..so run it hard,but stay far away from the redline.

load helps, find a nice hill and run up it more than a few times..that extra throttle needed to get up and moving does wonders for break in.

and dont get the oil too hot..
creep up on the redline over time 500 MI. or so

make sure you have enuf fuel going into the engine ...if it is a new setup expecially, you dont want to run that sucker lean..not now at least.
good luck
6/21/2007 1:20:18 PM EDT
[#6]
Oh and your question, everyone has an opnion, but I use castrol straight 30 weight oil for break in, and I do 2 oil changes before break in.

first oil to get the engine running check for leaks, and get the last of the metal from the machining process out of the engine.

after engine is warm and it has no leaks, I change the oil for the break in process.

the oil goes through the pump before the filter, this method seems to make the OIL pump last longer.
6/21/2007 2:15:29 PM EDT
[#7]

Quoted:
Depends.

Flat tappet or roller cam?


bingo, if flat tappet, use rotella oil or GM EOS for break-in

if roller, start it, check for leaks, warm it up, and drive it, all these need break-in for is to seat the rings
6/21/2007 4:34:15 PM EDT
[#8]
First 500 miles...when on the highway, speeds of only 55 to 60 MPH...don't hold those speeds for an extended period of time, you need to vary the speeds...you gotta break in all the internal componets i.e. rings...seat the valves...bearings...etc.
6/21/2007 4:42:45 PM EDT
[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Depends.

Flat tappet or roller cam?


bingo, if flat tappet, use rotella oil or GM EOS for break-in

if roller, start it, check for leaks, warm it up, and drive it, all these need break-in for is to seat the rings


Yep.

It seems to be the consensus of major camshaft companies, as well as two noted engine builders in the Houston area, that a 15-50w diesel oil works better than anything for a flat tappet/cam break in.

The diesel oil has a large amount of manganese compared to 'regular' automotive oils.
I saw a noticeable difference in the lobe surface of the last cam that was broken in with Motorcraft diesel oil. No blue spots or uneven discoloration.