What Oil For Break In?

[bigboi]

I have a 496 BB w/ Hydraulic Roller Cam. I am going to fire it up for the first time in a couple weeks. What oil should I use for break in? Synthetic, Regular, Weight??

[chicane67]

I like to use a hi detergent crude based 30 weight.

And no on the synthetic... the rings dont like it during break-in.

[Vegas69]

My big block was built by a pretty well known nascar engine builder. He said to run rotella 15w40 at all times. Mine is a gen 6 with a roller as you know.

[molyorange 77]

My big block was built by a pretty well known nascar engine builder. He said to run rotella 15w40 at all times. Mine is a gen 6 with a roller as you know.

I second on the rotella 15w40. Thats what most of them use in the engine build challenge.

[bigboi]

My big block was built by a pretty well known nascar engine builder. He said to run rotella 15w40 at all times. Mine is a gen 6 with a roller as you know.

So you are saying run Rotella at ALL TIMES, even after break in period? It's made by Shell - Correct?

If so I am just going to order a couple cases of it.

[Vegas69]

Yep and Yep

[BossaNova]

Third the Rotella.

[68sixspeed]

Rotella here for the camaro... (except Mobile 1 ext-perf on the vette.) I ran a lot of expensive stuff including break in specific oils and had ring seal isssues. Re-ringed the motor and rotella, no issues, knock on wood. Scary cheap compared to some of the specialty oils too. (Spectro, race-version Royal Purple, etc.)

[ZZ430]

You might want to consider the Brad Penn break-in oil.

It works great!

http://www.bradpennracing.com/Products/BIO30.html

[buns]

I run 15-40........in my 3406 Caterpiller engine. Because that is what is recommended. I don't remember any Chevrolet Owners Manual specifying 15-40. If you are looking for an oil with higher levels of Zinc ( which is why many people have switched to Rotella ), Chevron has Delo 400 in 10-30. Available at most Truck Stops or truck parts suppliers.

[Vegas69]

You are on the wrong site to be talking about owners manuals. Most of us don't have a 250 hp 327 either.

[molyorange 77]

You are on the wrong site to be talking about owners manuals. Most of us don't have a 250 hp 327 either.

[buns]

You are on the wrong site to be talking about owners manuals. Most of us don't have a 250 hp 327 either.

Sorry. I thought your 69 Camaro came with a six banger. My mistake.

[chicane67]

Both Rotella and Delo are synthetic... and not really recommended for brake-in. Nor are you dealing with the mechanical tolerance of a NASCAR engine builders typical product.

Brian... check your in box... I kinda explained this in more detail.

[Vegas69]

Wrong....rotella is not synthetic and is perfect for break in.

[chicane67]

Hummm... the most common and most popular in the complete Rotella line, is synthetic. Besides... if it were perfect for break in... everyone would be doing it. Not to mention that their 'blends' are also a semi-synthetic...

If you hit other forums, specifically diesel sites... and the off road community, which use more trucks than we mere pavement pounders... you'll read that Rotella is frowned upon by those in the professional side of that industry. Most actually perfer a parrifin based oil...

[another69]

That got me thinking- I use Rotella-t and always thought it was mineral based. I went in the garage and looked at a bottle, then the website, and found nothing confirming or denying synthetic content- just some b.s. about "triple protection". (???) I run the Rotella because, just like alot of others, I read that it still has a high zinc content and supposedly good for break-in and regular use. I haven't exactly done lab testing on the stuff, so I don't know for sure. I would welcome any suggestions on a better oil for breaking in a motor or continued use in a flat tappet motor.

[molyorange 77]

Standard Rotella and Delo 400 are not Synthetic, Now they do make a synthetic BLEND and you don't want to use that. If it's a synthetic the lable has to state that it is, either full or blended.

[chicane67]

There are now three available... mineral base, blend min/syn and a full synthetic.

Full synthetics are not recommended and that is what I was originally trying to convey.