Hey everyone,

Im getting ready to fire up my freshly built 400. After talking to different people and reading different forums on here, I am unsure about what oil to use for the break in on my engine. Ive heard to use Diesel Oil (15w40), NP-30 (non detergent), normal oil with an oil additive... the list goes on. Does anyone have a completly possitive understanding, with multiple engine breakin expiriance, that knows what to use for the best result?

 

There have been a lot of problems lately blamed on reformulated oils that don't have zinc and phosporus in them. Some of the diesel oils have it. Also the cam manufacturers have break in additives with zinc and recommend continuing to use it after breakin.

Try Crane or Compcams web site to make sure you take the proper precautions.

 

Sounds like you've read this month's Hot Rod, Beartracks! Interesting reading. I'm probably going to put in either Shell Rotella or Mobil Delvac next time I change oil. That works out for me anyway as we have a couple of diesel cars and my truck is the only gas burner in the driveway.

Munch, see if you can get a copy of the most recent Hot Rod and check out that article on cam lobe/lifter failure and declining levels of zinc in modern gasoline approved oils. They specifically showed zinc levels in Rotella.

Bob

 

Comp Cams put out a bulletin on the subject that explains this. It can be found on their website. They recomend Shell Rotella for cam break in. I believe it was Torque1st who posted in the 335 series forum or the oil and lube forum on this subject. He will probably be along to help clarify this issue for you.

 

Yes, use the Shell Rotella. Some other guys in the Oil forum posted that info long before I did. It was old news by the time I posted.

 

That clears everything up. Thanks all.

 

I talked to the guy who is doing the machine work on my block about this very thing. He rebuilds alot of motors and said a couple years back a cam would get "wiped" every once in a while during break-in. Not often but more than enough. Since he switched to Shell Rotella he hasn't had a single failure. Sounds good enough to me.

Mike

 

on flat tappet cams I lke shell rotella, and using GM EOS helps too as it is basically a zinc additive.