Ok Oppo, what do you think...

"Bandit" (2bandit) 10/25/2013 at 17:42 • Filed to: emma

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What type of oil should I use to start my motor? There is a new cam installed and I plan on using zinc additive. Should I use 10W-30, 5W-30, or something else? The rings are original so I don't think I have to worry about synthetic vs non synthetic.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Bandit 10/25/2013 at 17:44

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Break in oil.

HammerheadFistpunch > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/25/2013 at 17:48

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Seconded

Dunnik > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2013 at 18:20

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Never used it personally - likely because I've never re-built an engine myself, heh - but have heard nothing but good things about it.

desertdog5051 > Bandit 10/25/2013 at 18:48

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If it is flat tappet definitely use a break in oil. Here's a short vid on zinc/phosphorus. 3 minute mark if you just want recommendations on oils with high content.

deekster_caddy > Bandit 10/25/2013 at 22:52

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I have found Valvoline "Racing" oil to have the most zinc that's accessible (they have it in local stores). The 20w50 has the most zinc. Lately I've been leaning towards thicker, heavier oils in general. My engines run quieter and stuff, and the zinc levels make it seem like the "right thing to do". There is so much misinformation floating around about what oil weight to use it's hard to decide anything.

Whatever oil you choose, use a cam break in additive and do it nice. I don't bother with synthetic in my old rides, I change it for clean oil every fall before winter storage so it doesn't seem worth it to me. Plus most synthetics don't have the zinc content our old motors want. I run Valvoline Racing 20W50 in my Buick 455 and my '54 MG, and both engines seem very happy.

Did you rebuild any of the rest of the engine? How are the bearings? What's your oil pressure usually like? Is it where it belongs or too low when it's hot?

Out of curiosity, is it a 301, 350, 400, 455?

Bandit > deekster_caddy 10/25/2013 at 23:00

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It's a Pontiac 400 with approx 60k miles on it. I've never heard the motor run and this is my first engine build so everything is new to me.

I've only changed the cam (XE268h), cam bearings, lifters, timing set, installed a 4-barrel OE manifold (engine came with a 2-bbl), long tube headers, and an attached an edelbrock carb that I had sitting around.

GRawesome > deekster_caddy 10/26/2013 at 09:22

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Seconded, I use the valvoline racing VR-1 in my old engines for its high zinc, 20w-50 because it is hot here and never gets below freezing.