Question for you engine gurus...... I just put a freshly rebuilt 350 in my Skylark. custom JE pistons, nice flat tappet cam, heads done, oil mods, the works. So far so good, knock on wood. I broke the cam in for 30 minutes, varying the rpm every five minutes between 2000 rpm and 2900 rpm with break in oil. Then checked everything and took it for about a ten mile ride. brought home and changed the oil and filter. cut the filter opened, no chunks but very metallic oil in the filter as expected. Filled with Valvoline VR1 conventional 10W30, put about 250 miles on. planning to make one more run, about 100 more miles then change again, and inspect filter. I have a case of Brad Penn in the garage, has zinc but says its a synthetic blend. Anyone see a problem with using this oil, this early in the engines life?
No issue with that would I have! If you want to be on the really safe side then send out a oil sample for testing, as it's not expensive like having to go for a new short block again and provides a good secure feeling when your foot is on the mat!
Dave, I would probably stick with the VR1 through one oil change cycle. This will allow the rings to seat and seal. Then switch to the synthetic blend. Get out and drive it, and put some miles on it.
Thanks for the responses. I do sample my oil, I am a heavy equipment mechanic so I sample thru Cleveland Brothers Caterpillar, had I not done sampling I would not have had the early notice that my engine was going, high wear metals and traces of coolant in the oil. my hot oil pressure at idle is around 20psi. Mark. Why do you ask? Dave, that is what scared me, interrupting the break in by using the blend oil too soon, what are you considering one oil cycle? couple thousand miles? How long till I can be confident that everything is broken in? I probably have about 350 miles on her now....
Dave I was always taught to get it out on the highway and vary the speed. Three thousand miles should be good. When you feel confident that is not using any oil. Get out and drive it plan some day trips to some shows that aren't near you.
Hot idle pressure sounds perfect! Sounds like you did everything right, I think your good to go. Reason I asked about hot idle pressure is its a good indication the oil pump clearances are correct, and bearing clearances are correct, and as long as the pressure rises immediately with the throttle that's great Just keep using "good" oil!
Since you've already broken in the cam, all you really need to do to break in an engine is seat the rings. Follow the ring manufactures procedure to seat the rings. I Think mine were Total Seal plasma moly rings. They told me to get on the highway and from cruising speed, accelerate to 80 2 or 3 times to seat them. That was 1100 miles ago and I have no issues. I changed my oil at 100 miles and 500 miles just to make sure to remove any dirt or metal from the rebuild or break in process.
Dave, just saw this thread now. Glad to hear your engine is up and running! If you can, post up a video of it, I'd absolutely love to hear it running!
I will try buddy. it runs really good, very happy with it, it is a whole different car to drive now. I cant believe how differently it sounds, using the same Flowmaster exhaust but the thing sounds totally different. You will be happy with yours. I will be at the Beaver show beginning of August, and probably Moon park. let me know if you can make either of those.
Sounds good Dave! I'm gonna try to make Moon Park, and I'll see what I can do to get up to Beaver. Can't wait to see and hear it!