I had the 351M in my 77 rebuilt back in the first part of the year. I've put about 4,000 miles on it since. The engine was rebuilt to stock specs but was bored .040 over.

The oil used right after the rebuild was regular Motorcraft 10w-30. At the first oil change, I used Motorcraft 10w-30 synthetic blend as the regular Motorcraft 10w-30 is getting difficult to find locally.

I have been seeing some of the threads which talk about additive packages in modern oils and applications for certain types of oil. My question, in this engine, should I be using one of the diesel oils (i.e. Rotella, Delo, etc.) due to the additive packages/anitwear agents in these oils?

Thanks in advance.

 

That does not matter now. The additives or diesel oil should have been used for break in oil.

 

All that matters is you didnt break in the engine with synthetic.


Tim

 

Not correct, regular oil should not be used for engine break in with flat tappet cams. Many failures have been attributed to the new oils that do not have the proper anti-wear agents in them that is required with a flat tappet cam. There is a lot of information on this in the oil and lube forum.

 

That was some of the information I was seeing regarding flat tappet cams. There was also a lot of information concerning the type of oil (with higher levels of ZDDP) that should be used at all times with these engines.

At least the engine was rebuilt be a quality, well-respected builder. I'm just curious as to how much of the cost of the rebuild I ended up wasting.

 

I'm confused. are you having problems now?

On a quailty engine rebuild, a fair part of your money is not making power, just keeping the engine together for a lot longer. And is not $$$ wasted! If your builder is worth his salt, he should run ideas past you on power, keeping engine together, and money. Not all in that order.

This oil issue is fairly new and some rebuilders, still know nothing of it. Still more info is still coming out on this. If I am understanding right, diesel oil is in the process of losing more of it's zinc.

I bought a case of the additive off our sponsor TMI. Engine was broke in already, but I will use it every oil change.

I hope you are not having cam issue's, I would start using the additive, but that is me.

I would like to know why you think you "wasted some of your money on rebuild" Good Luck

 

No, having no problems at all. Just concerned about the issue of oil/additive package that I perhaps should have used immediately after rebuild. In other words, I'm hoping I didn't unnecessarily shorten engine life.

The reason I mentioned the builder is that I know there were no shortcuts in the rebuild process, unless it was a failure on my part in the oil used.

 

I imagion Jasper breaks in his engines??? I've been preaching the gospel of break in with the right oil or additive for months now and, sure enough, my machine shop recently got a memo from some builder association.... I tell every parts store I go into etc...

Rotello is inexpensive and has the zink and you can find it in 10-30 which is what i'm breaking in my 2 engines in with (though my next one is a roller cam)

 

Unsure of Jasper breaking in their engines.

The diesel oil has to be monitored, as what I have been hearing they are taking the zinc out of it now! I still can't get a good answer on this as to the ppm left in the new diesel oil.

Also, after break-in, I understand you still need the additive to keep premature wear from happening. I figure the $8 or so additive per oil change is cheap insurance and i am going with that option.

Glad your engine is working, it's your choice on oil package you use. Me, I would start putting the zinc in it. Good Luck