in the instructions that came with my GM 847 cam, GM does not recommend the use of synthetic oils for our products. this is what it says exactly....
considerable progress has recently been made in the area
of synthetic motor oils. however, we have found that their
use with the increased unit loadings found in a typical high
performance camshaft and valvetrain componets . we do not
recommend using these synthetic oils in such applications.
instead, use a high grade of single weight, naturally-
formulated, pennsylvania crude based motor oil for your
lubrication source, and follow maintenance schedules
regularly.

whats up with that? it says under the hood and on the oil cap to use mobil one synthetic oil and thats all i ever used.
its going to be hard in my mind to trust regular oil.
what have you guys used with new cams.
and whats the best, straight 30 or 40 weight oil? brand?

 

Are you sure there not just talking about the break in period?
I think it's pretty standard to not use synthetic during break in.

 

 

.....

 

There is no break-in period with a roller camshaft.

 

actually it says to use a se, sf grade oil and add GM EOS? for break in.
but it also mentions mechanical lifters in the directions so maybe there is no break in for rollor cams. they must use the same directions for all GM cams, (hyd, roll, solid) but it says in more than one place in the directions NOT TO USE SYNTHETIC OIL so i think they mean ever.
i guess its regular oil from now on. i use to change my oil before (mobil one synthetic) every 2000 miles. i may change it now every 1000 miles with the regular oil now.

 

......i have always broken in all engines with dino oil and changed multiple times until rings, etc are seated..then switch to synthetic oil....

 

Mobil 1 synthetic is the factory fill for your engine, I wouldn't change. Many on this forum are running GMPP camshafts with Mobil 1.

 

my old cam i took out was the GM 846 cam and i always ran mobil one.
it had some wear on it. i could see where the rollor lifters were riding on the cam but the lobes looked fine. i will use dino oil for the first 1000 or so miles then switch to mobil one again.
thanks guys

 

You can use any modern oil with a roller camshaft.

With the newer SL and now SM standard, ZINC and a few other high pressure additives have been reduced and this CAN present a problem in Flat Tappet camshaft applications.

Using a Diesel Oil that has the higher EP adds such as ZINC will avoid this potential problem with the newer oils and prevent lobe wear / wipeout.

 

I run Brad Penn Racing oil... 20w50

http://www.bradpennracing.com/Products/SAE20W50.html


From their site:

Our history

In 1997, American Refining Group, Inc. (ARG), a privately held energy company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, purchased the Kendall/Amalie refinery located in Bradford, PA, from Witco Corporation. As a result of the sale by Witco, of the Kendall® and Amalie® brands to a third party, a new name was given to the products produced at the site: Brad Penn® Premium Pennsylvania Grade Lubricants. Founded in 1881 at the height of the domestic oil boom, the Bradford refinery is the only refinery processing 100% Pennsylvania Grade crude oil. It is also the oldest continuously operated lube oil refinery in the world. Due to the consistency of our feedstocks, the quality of our products can be traced from the wellhead to the finished packaged product. ARG's refinery and blending and packaging operations are ISO 9001:2000 certified. The Bradford refinery was the first in the United States to carry the ISO 9002 certification.

BRAD PENN® PENN-GRADE 1® Racing Oils

PENN-GRADE 1® Racing Oils are specially formulated using high quality PENN-GRADETM base stocks and select additive technologies to meet the stringent lubricating demands of high-performance, highly stressed, street and racing engines. They deliver excellent shock load and high temperature protection to heavily stressed engine parts including bearings, camshafts, rings, and pistons. They reduce internal friction allowing for increased horsepower output while maintaining their strong lubricating film protection even under the most demanding torque and extreme temperature conditions. These high performance racing formulations also provide excellent antifoaming and shear stability characteristics, exceptional high temperature protection from thermal breakdown, superior film strength, and strong anti wear properties.

 

Brad Penn = Old Kendall...One of the best Dino oils ever made.

 

Do you think 20w50 would help with the "sewing machine?

Thanks
Sleeper