I am getting ready to break in a new motor with a solid cam and I have been told to use a diesel oil because of the zinc has anyone heard of this also I and considering renting 1.3 ratio rockers for the break in is this necessary??

 

Yeah, Use the low ratio rockers for the breakin. As for oil, Use what You'll be using all the time.

 

Zinc has a low boiling point, so it does coat all the metal parts. If there is an event of a dry start, the coating will be compromised, not the actual metal itself. You can use whatever oil you want and that is the only plus about zinc. If you think about it too, many oils are rated for both gas and diesel motors. Such as Rotella and Mobil 1.

 

Looked into it abit more shell rotella diesel oil is recommended for break in and some are running it exclusivly, the cam companys recommend oil with zinc or zinc additive. They also recommend the lower ratio rockers and taking the center valve spring out. Damn a roller cam would have been alot easier.

 

GRIFF,

I don't know if you've already fired up the motor or not, but traditionally, the type of oil used is not as critical as overall lubrication at the startup process. If you haven't done it already, you absolutely need to make sure that you have Cam Lube or some sort of Break in Moly on your lobes, lifters, pushrods and rockers.

Cams lobes get their oil from slinging or sloshing from below and when you break in the cam you need ample RPMs (over 2000) to get sufficient lubrication on those moving parts. Until that happens (cam getting sufficient oil from the engine), the only way that your lifters and lobes are protected is by having that Cam lube or such that "sticks" to those parts while the break in process is going on.

Then change the oil immediately and check your valve lash for loose rockers.

RM

 

We used the moly break in lube on the cam and lifters and valve train we have an oil pump primer also. We did buy the shell rotella oil for it also. It was kind of funny earlier in the week I stopped into the tractor supply store to get some bolts there had to be 50 cases of the stuff and 20 5 gallon buckets.. I bought it sat there were 6 -2.5 gallon containers left. I dont know if it is true but the guy said they were phasing out the zinc next year so people were stocking up. Also about the oil slinging up I had a windage tray installed but removed it once I started to read the cam makers recomendations. It didnt say if that was just for breakin or all the time.