Motor oil info

[Salvatore]

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On BBC's w/flat tappets, it's *imperitive* to only break them in on the outer springs, or a set of actual break in springs...

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I've heard of this before..is it really that "imperative" ??

wilma

[/ QUOTE ]Absolutely!

[VintageMusclecar]

(yes, I'm posting this at 3:45 a.m. ain't insomnia a wonderful thing? )

For those of you who aren't familiar with this site...

Everything you ever wanted to know about oil but were afraid to ask

Rob is correct about BBC's (and just about any other engine for that matter) and break-in with flat tappet cams. It's a little more work to re-install the inner springs once break in is complete, but it beats the h*ll outta pulling the engine back down because of a wiped cam. You'd be suprised how much damage that material does to bearings, cranks, piston skirts and cylinder walls.

(Of course, if you have an extra $700+ burning a hole in your pocket, Schubeck lifters are an option. Just drop these in and go racing, no break-in needed.)

Oh, fwiw...

There's some worthwhile power to be had with synthetic oil. How much? Depends on the oil.

Food for thought: I personally know of one big block Chrysler bracket engine that was switched from 50-weight racing oil to a fairly thin name-brand synthetic.

After the engine had fully warmed up with the synthetic oil in it, the owner found the idle speed had increased by roughly 300 rpm.

"Things that make you go hmmmmm"

Eric

[tirebird]

I wrote to Mobil 1 about zinc/phosphorous levels in it's motor oil and received the following response.

"Mobil1 MX4T 10W40 and Mobil1 V-TWIN 20W50 motorcycle motor oils, Mobil1
15W50 Extended performance and Mobil1 5W40 diesel motor oils contains
the higher levels of zinc and phosphorous for your cams. The new energy
conserving motor oils do have reduced levels of zinc/phos however, they
typically do not have any adverse effects on cams unless you are
running
higher valve spring pressures. I would suggest you stick with the
product listed above if you are concerned about the phos/zinc issues."

[Mr70]

I wanted to add this link onto this topic as I found it useful and informative.
More Than You Ever Wanted To Know About Motor Oil

[Chevy454]

There's also a good article in one of the latest Hot Rod magazines...they talk to oil mans and cam mans...pretty interesting...