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Hello i'm building a 390 fe and wondering what weight oil should i use to break in the motor. I have been told a stright 30 and a 5w 30w. It hard to find a stright 30 in my town unless i use a off brand. I was planning on Mobile 30 wt. Also what is the process of breaking in a cam. This one is new to me. Thanks. flht
i break every thing in with breakin oil 30wt brad pen or joe gibs
There are numerous companys that make "break-in" oil. I break a motor in by running it at around 2000 RPM for 15-20 minutes. That breaks in the cam and lifters. Also remember to put some box fans in front of the radiator to push some air for cooling the radiator.
After that, you want to take the car out and vary the speeds and rpms for a good 200 miles.
I also recommend 30 weight for break in. I truely believe that the new break in oils help the engine survice that critical first fire up. The new oils just do not keep the cam protected during fire up and cam lobe failure can result (Especially with higher than stock valve spring pressures) Some engine builders are actually using "break in springs" for the valve springs to break the engine in and then switch to the final valve springs once the break in is completed. Keep in mind this is only the case in flat tapped engines. Roller engines do not require that protection generally.
Don Jr.:)
I like Shell Rotella T as it still has some of the old zinc in it. But it is very important to put in a bottle of zinc additive too. Do not idle the engine at all, set everthing so it fires up as quickly as possible, then immediately bring the rpms to 2000-2500 and KEEP it there for at least 20 minutes total running time. You might have to do that in 10 minute bursts if the car starts heating up, and the previously mentioned box fan helps a lot.
It might be overkill, but we always change the oil right after that initial breakin, although some people wait a while to drive it first. I figure oil is the cheapest thing you will ever put in a motor, so it can't hurt to change it right away. If you have a flat tappet cam, keep putting in zinc additive EVERY oil change. If you have a roller cam motor, no need to break it in, but I still like zinc additives.
Don
Add a pint can of Competition Cams #159 cam break-in lube. That will give you the protection (zinc) that you need during breakin. Do the search thing, there was a another recent thread with a discussion about motor oils and you might find it interesting.
Thanks for all the reply's I will use your advise ! Thanks again. flht