Should I use break-in oil?

[BigRed12]

I am in the middle of ordering a bunch of parts to do a lot of previously neglected maintenance. My uncle, who has build many high HP motors, mainly SB and BBC, convinced me to go ahead and get a new set of oe spec pistons rings main and connecting rod bearings.

Normally with a new motor and a lot of machine work you want to run a break in oil that contains zinc. My questions is, if I dont do any machine work, like boring cylinders, line honing, etc. Should I worry about a break in oil? or just run conventional for the first few thousand miles?

I am not going for a high horsepower build right now. That will be later down the road and then I will be doing a lot of machine work on both the block and head. THIS, however, is an OE spec rebuild with maintenance in mind.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I just run conventional oil until Im done breaking It in.

 

[NHerron]

The break in is breaking in of the piston rings so yes use break in oil, whatever you wanna get just don't get synthetic oil, too slick. I hope you at least hone the cylinders.

 

[BigRed12]

yea, i will be honing the cylinders, but that will be the extent of "machine work" for now. The talon has 176K miles on it and has a good oil leak, so I am going through and replacing all gaskets and timing belt, water pump, etc. The pistons and rings were a recommendation by my uncle since we are gonna have the motor and trans out anyways, why not go ahead and put in new rings, piston, main bearings, and rod bearings.

 

[Calan]

Any cheap non-synthetic oil (Walmart generic is fine), changed early. The filter is the biggie...only use good filters like a Napa Gold (Wix).

 

[92AWDHX40]

Started using wix lately and wont use any other, just grab some oil, break it in then use syn if you like.

 

[DSM1G90]

Change oil every 20, 50, 100, 300, then 500 miles to call it good.
Change filter every time.
And, yes do the cheapest dino 10/w30 oil you can find since you're gonna be changing it quite often until before you can even think of using synth oils.

Good luck - DSM

 

[My1GLaser]

Grab some NAPA SAE30ND while you're there getting the oil filter.

 

[crimsondragon]

I use Brad Penn's 30 wt break in oil. Good stuff.

 

[Slo2gn]

I used conventional and lucas Oil Break in additive. I did a stock rebuild. Some say ZDDP helps seat the piston rings along with breaking in the Camshafts and so on.. I use it for peace of mind.

 

[DSM1G90]

Grab some NAPA SAE30ND..

Least, this stuff is easier on the pocketbook to buy for routine break-in changes.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

I ised non detergent penzoil, ran 10 mins drained filled ip again, ran 50 miles of boosting and put in the good shit.

Valvoline 20w50, i still to this day dont use synthetic, too expensive for how often i change the oil.

 

[livedsm4g63]

I used the cheapest oil I could find at walmart. Worked well for me and saved me money. It was like 12 bucks per 5 qts. Believe it was the crappy supertech oil.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Walmart brand or Meijer here no sense in wasting money on break in oil.

 

[stolenracer]

lucas break in oil is what im using. its only 4$ a quart and easy to find well worth it for me. i would much rather spend a little extra per quart for ease of mind. for the price of what i paid to rebuild my motor an extra 30$ will be worth it to me

 

[jared_gibbs]

If you have a 6bolt motor it'll hold 400hp+ reliably. Idk what your goals are but if your build in the future is around 400 I'd highly recommend budgeting for machine work. At least make sure it specs out. That way no need to tear down again, just mod as your budget permits.