Break-In Additives
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Break-In Additives
Have the original 30W oil with break-in additives my 73-350 engine, it's been months. Took a while to get it running, so most of the time running was idling. Drove it around a little this past weekend. Should I keep the current oil with additives in there until I drive it some more? What are the pluses and minuses? 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
if its a fresh rebuild or new motor i would change the oil once after 500, again after 1000 (1500 total), and then regularly afterwards. i'm not familiar with break-in additives, ive always just used regular dino oil 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Rotella 15W40 is non detergent and has zinc in it and is probably the best break in oil there is.. That's what I use on my race engines for break in!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
I just changed the oil in my new motor. I ran it in the garage for a couple hours then drove it 3-4 miles. Then I changed it. It was pretty black, but my carb was running real rich at first so I think I had some gas in the oil.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
This is more of a question than a reply but depending upon the responses it may be useful for you. I've "heard" that STP oil additive has a good amount of zinc in it and some use this as a supplement to todays standard low zinc oil. Can anyone verify this?
TIA!
TIA!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I've read that Rotella (old formula) is the way to go on break in, but why the thick grade? No arguing, I just wouldn't have thought to do so and I'm about to break in my new 400 so I'm very interested.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I added a bottle of Crane break-in additive, plus all the lube I put on the cam and rockers when assembling it. Sounds like it’s time to get that crap out of the engine. The engine has a 70 LT1 solid lifter cam, plan on using Castrol GTX 20-50. It’s Zinc numbers are almost as good as Rotella.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
My engine builder builds tons of circle track and drag engines and I trust his suggestions. I assume that the thicker grade is used for bearing protection..
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Rotella is great stuff but can't be used with vehicles with catalytic converters as the zinc can't be used with those..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Info from the Shell Answer Man about the wear additives in Rotella the old CI-4 verus the new CJ-4 spec's.
He, actually a she, said
...........................CI-4..............CJ-4
Zinc.................. 1390 ppm.......1210 ppm
Phospherous.........1265 ppm.......1110 ppm
About 12% lower for the new oil, but much more than the regular car SM spec oil.
Roger
He, actually a she, said
...........................CI-4..............CJ-4
Zinc.................. 1390 ppm.......1210 ppm
Phospherous.........1265 ppm.......1110 ppm
About 12% lower for the new oil, but much more than the regular car SM spec oil.
Roger
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I've been told by the counter guy at a local Chevy dealer that the GM Engine Oil Supplement (EOS) is simply GM's version of STP. I don't know how accurate that is, and he does have a vested interest in selling GM products, but it's his story and he's sticking to it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
My machinist said the same thing. Told me to run straight 40W on the new motor for a few thousand miles before switching to a multi-grade.Eddie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Did not realize there was ANY multi-viscosity oil that was Non-Detergent. Shell does not mention it on their web site.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Wilkesboro NC
Burning Brakes
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From: Des Allemands LA
ltlevil
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Johnson City TN
