Note:  never use synthetics for engine break-in... john


Re: New engine break-in

    Posted by:  eastvns
    Date: Wed Aug 9, 2006 8:59 am (PDT)


How far has the technical side of this group dropped to post  such 
misleading information about something as simple as engine  break-in?

Break-in demands 1800+ rpm for a minimum of 20-minutes - for flat  tappet
cam. The rpm should be changed from 1800 to 3000 during cam break-in  to 
alter the load on the lifters (the dynamic load changes with rpm and allows  the
lifters to rotate at different speeds to prevent a wear pattern wave on the
lifter and cam lobe faces).

The varied rpm change also varies the splash oiling of the wrist-pins and
rocker arms (and allows the valve spring rotators to spin the valves &  
springs so the exhaust valves seat properly and the springs do not hammer  through 
the shims).

Extended duration idle engine speed will not splash lubricate the  
wrist-pins or lower the dynamic load on the valve train (it is a recipe for  trouble on
initial break-in).

Motor Oil has been regulated by the federal government to eliminate almost
all of the zinc (ZZDP) and other surface hardening lubricant additive in the
last two years. These metal based additives can damage a  catalytic 
converter during the federal 50,000 mile EPA warranty requirement (and  are not needed
with roller lifter cam followers). These additives are no longer  present in 
the current SAE grade motor oil, the current SAE spec oil provides no  break-in
anti-wear protection for sliding lifter surfaces (for flat tappet cams  and
lifters). This lack of additive is why the number of cam failures have been
extremely high in the last two years.

The anti-wear additives still remain in Diesel grade motor oils (through
2007). Break-in should be performed with diesel specification oil (Shell 
Rotella or other diesel specification oil).

Change the filter at 100 miles or the first two hours of operation.
Change the oil at 500 miles or the five hours of operation.

Change the oil as often as you want, but use a grade of oil (or an additive
package) that is designed for the style of cam and lifter used in the engine
(diesel spec. oil, some off-road spec. racing oils, or use an oil  additive
with ZZDP).

HTH?

Happy Trails!
Ed A. Stevens