Another myth......or is it true???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Another myth......or is it true???
"don't ever use synthetic oil to break in an engine or new mechancial work because it is too slippery. You need to use good old fashion "dino" oil in order to get a good break-in"
I have heard this many times in the last few years. Now with the new cam, rocker arms I need to know if this is true and what is the proper way to break in these new mods.
Help!!!!
I have heard this many times in the last few years. Now with the new cam, rocker arms I need to know if this is true and what is the proper way to break in these new mods.
Help!!!!
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (LT4BUD)
If you just changed the cam and rockers just put your regular oil in it and let if fly. With a roller cam there will be virtually no wear so there really isn't anything to "break in".
I'd drive it easy for a little while just to make sure your rockers are adjusted right, then go wail on it. :cheers:
I'd drive it easy for a little while just to make sure your rockers are adjusted right, then go wail on it. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (LT4BUD)
There is no break-in needed for a hydraulic roller cam, stick with synthetic.
Dino oil is used to break-in a new or rebuilt engine, it helps seat the rings.
Dino oil is used to break-in a new or rebuilt engine, it helps seat the rings.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (LT4BUD)
Comp Cams recommends a little light assembly lube on the valve tips and on the pushrod tops to aid wearin and likely some on the cam bearings too.
Otherwise, synthetic should be fine.
Otherwise, synthetic should be fine.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (LT4BUD)
I'd use syn. blend because it's cheaper and I like to change oil again after the initial run in and road test. Then go back to Mobil 1.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,504
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (LT4BUD)
I believe the problem with synthetic for breaking in engines is it doesn't let the piston rings seat properly. Since the pistons didn't come out I'd say go right to synthetic.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (LT4BUD)
There was a similar post a couple of years ago and I called Mobil-1, Comp cams, and Hays and all said to use dyno oil for break in then swap to Synth. On all the motors I have built I use dyno for the break in and then swap to Synthetic after about 1500 miles. I change the oil after the first 1/2 hour then every 500 miles after that so I have never been woried about wear. The only concern I would have with using synth. for break in would be the hone patern used not beeing agresive enough for the rings to seat properly with sythetic. If your machinist preps the cylinder walls properly for break in using synth. then I can't see a problem with using it. I can say that I put over 100,000 miles on my 75 motor and it never used a drop of oil untill I sold the car and it was broke in with regular dyno-oil. For your case with a new cam synthetic should be fine.
[Modified by 84LT1, 2:05 PM 4/10/2004]
[Modified by 84LT1, 2:05 PM 4/10/2004]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (LT4BUD)
If your machinist preps the cylinder walls properly for break in using synth. then I can't see a problem with using it. I can say that I put over 100,000 miles on my 75 motor and it never used a drop of oil untill I sold the car and it was broke in with regular dyno-oil. For your case with a new cam synthetic should be fine.
OTOH, you have nothing to lose by running a change of dino oil on a rebuilt engine. It might even be a good idea since you don't really know how well the surfaces were prepped.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (LT4BUD)
I would not use synthetic to break-in an engine. I used dino in mine, for the first 500 miles. Then I made the switch.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (MrSpeedyBob)
I believe the problem with synthetic for breaking in engines is it doesn't let the piston rings seat properly.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Va
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (rocco16)
I'll put it to you this way. If the syn. oil is so darn slick that it keeps the metal from breaking in then this would mean it causes there to be no friction. Which we all know isn't true. I have used Mobil 1 in all my engines brand new to old and used. No problems. I even read a article about 8 years ago written by a mobile 1, PR person stating that it was fine to use a start oil, or breaken oil.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (84LT1)
I will agree...
On roller parts, it doesn't matter. With new cam bushings, crank bushings, rings, etc, you need the genuine petroleum oil to seat these parts properly.
Nick Penta, President of Tribotech Inc, maker of Tribotech IJP Oil Additive (which I use without fail) says use his additive only after the engine has at least 3000 miles on it, either new or after a major rebuild.
But don't new Corvette's come with Mobil One as standard?
BIG JIM
On roller parts, it doesn't matter. With new cam bushings, crank bushings, rings, etc, you need the genuine petroleum oil to seat these parts properly.
Nick Penta, President of Tribotech Inc, maker of Tribotech IJP Oil Additive (which I use without fail) says use his additive only after the engine has at least 3000 miles on it, either new or after a major rebuild.
But don't new Corvette's come with Mobil One as standard?
BIG JIM
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (84LT1)
Well this is from http://www.mobil1.com
"MYTH
You should break in your engine with conventional oil, then switch to Mobil 1.
You can start using Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ in new vehicles at any time, even in brand-new vehicles. In fact, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ is original equipment (it is installed at the factory) in:
Chevrolet Corvette
All Porsche vehicles
Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles
Dodge Viper
Ford Mustang Cobra R
All Aston Martin cars
One of the myths that persists about Mobil 1 is that new engines require a break-in period with conventional oil. Current engine manufacturing technology does not require this break-in period. As indicated by the decisions of the engineers who design these high-performance cars, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ can be used in an engine from the day you drive the car off the showroom floor. "
Sounds like Mobil thinks that synthetic oil can be used from day 1.....but then again the above sounds a to me like it was written by their legal dept
[Modified by LT4BUD, 2:02 PM 4/11/2004]
"MYTH
You should break in your engine with conventional oil, then switch to Mobil 1.
You can start using Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ in new vehicles at any time, even in brand-new vehicles. In fact, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ is original equipment (it is installed at the factory) in:
Chevrolet Corvette
All Porsche vehicles
Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles
Dodge Viper
Ford Mustang Cobra R
All Aston Martin cars
One of the myths that persists about Mobil 1 is that new engines require a break-in period with conventional oil. Current engine manufacturing technology does not require this break-in period. As indicated by the decisions of the engineers who design these high-performance cars, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ can be used in an engine from the day you drive the car off the showroom floor. "
Sounds like Mobil thinks that synthetic oil can be used from day 1.....but then again the above sounds a to me like it was written by their legal dept
[Modified by LT4BUD, 2:02 PM 4/11/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Another myth......or is it true???
I've always heard "break it in with dino, then switch to synthetic" I did that, but am now running dino all the time. If you keep changing it regularly(3000 mile intervals) I feel there isn't a need for synthetic. The late great John Lingenfelter told me the same thing.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Va
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (Jay 383)
I say do what you want, and what you can afford. That simple. I've used mobile 1 in my 383 as the breaken oil, my push, and riding lawn mowers. Both run great and it's been about 4 years since I did this. The push mower still starts with one pull, and this is even after sitting over the winter. I change it once a season, and it never looks dirty when I change it. So, I can only conclude from personal experience that it's OK to break a engine in with Syn. oil.
I think the Syn. oils that claim you can't just want you to think it's better.
I think the Syn. oils that claim you can't just want you to think it's better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (88_vette)
Yeah, I agree about Mobil 1.
The biggest reason you change oil is because it's dirty. Synthetic gets just as dirty as Petroleum oil.
I do that because if it's good enough for a new Z06, it's good enough for me. But my ex-drag racing buddy swears by Pennzoil. But he's from a little town called Somerset, PA.
BIG JIM
The biggest reason you change oil is because it's dirty. Synthetic gets just as dirty as Petroleum oil.
I do that because if it's good enough for a new Z06, it's good enough for me. But my ex-drag racing buddy swears by Pennzoil. But he's from a little town called Somerset, PA.
BIG JIM
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (BIG JIM 54)
Yeah, I agree about Mobil 1.
The biggest reason you change oil is because it's dirty. Synthetic gets just as dirty as Petroleum oil.
The biggest reason you change oil is because it's dirty. Synthetic gets just as dirty as Petroleum oil.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 11,007
Likes: 1
From: Probably in the paint booth....
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (Nathan Plemons)
<Apparently you've never taken apart a motor that has run Mobil 1 vs one that has used Dino oil all it's life.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Another myth......or is it true??? (Jay 383)
I've always heard "break it in with dino, then switch to synthetic" I did that, but am now running dino all the time. If you keep changing it regularly(3000 mile intervals) I feel there isn't a need for synthetic. The late great John Lingenfelter told me the same thing.