What Oil
6th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,896
From: Elk Grove, CA
RE: What Oil
Oil is VERY important for break in. With a flat tappet cam, you need to be running something with high Zinc and Manganesecontent. Most street oils don't have this anymore due to EPA regulations. Use Shell Rotella T, Delo 400, Valvoline's 15W-40 fleet, or the equivalent, or you need to add some of Comp Cams' break in additive to the crankcase. The zinc bonds to the metal surfaces to create a protective boundary layerif there ever is metal to metal contact. This prevents cam lobes and lifters from being wiped out during breakin.
Do not use synthetics for the first 10k mi or so. It takes about this long for all of the parts in the engine to break in completely. Synthetics are so good at lubricating that they actually prevent proper breaking, especially where ring-seating is concerned. You need a little friction to properly seat the rings and wear the bearings into eachother. Once you hit 10k or so, go ahead and switch to synthetic if you want.
Do not use synthetics for the first 10k mi or so. It takes about this long for all of the parts in the engine to break in completely. Synthetics are so good at lubricating that they actually prevent proper breaking, especially where ring-seating is concerned. You need a little friction to properly seat the rings and wear the bearings into eachother. Once you hit 10k or so, go ahead and switch to synthetic if you want.
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