what oil?

[SS Shaun]

what oil should i buy to break in my 454? its a flat tappet cam and i know it needs zinc but i am not sure what i need to do it. thanks for the info

[Hank70SS]

Here are some oils with sufficient ZDDP for daily use.

* summit's hi perf oil in mult visc with detergent for street
* valvolines vr1 race oil in mult visc with detergent for street
* cam2's new race oil in mult visc with detergent for street
* brad penn race oils in mult visc with detergent for street
* pennzoil gt race 25w-50 with detergent for street
* motorheads HI Z 15w-40 with detergent for street
* mobil hi perf race syn 15w-50
* cen-pe-co race oils in mult visc with detergent for street
* Joe Gibbs Hot rod oil
* chevrons delo 15w-40 (has enough zddp for stock to mld perf cams)

Valvoline VR1 is usually available at your local auto parts store. I'm not endorsing it over the others, just that's readily available. I think Summit may have stopped selling their house brand oil.

For break-in I would throw in a ZDDP additive. GM EOS, I think they call it assembly lube now, has a lot of ZDDP, should be available at most GM dealers.

Make sure you have enough initial timing, like at least 12 degrees. Also plenty of airflow, a few fans blowing at the rad wouldn't hurt. It's easy to overheat the engine or fry a set of heaters during break-in.

Good luck!

[BillsCamino]

I just recently broke in a fresh built big block with a pretty wild Comp Magnum flat tappet cam...used 6 qts of Valvoline VR1 30W racing oil and a K&N 3002 filter.
Got about 300 miles on it now (did another oil change w/same stuff after break in).
Doing fine... ...should see some track time Thursday evening.

[SS Shaun]

thanks for the info! i am still a bit away from firing my 454 i am scared to death! (i always get worried when it comes down to staring up a new motor, when i swapped my ls1 in my rx7 i must of pissed like 5 times in 30 mins before i turned the key). talking about headers. i am not sure what to do here. i want a set of long tube headers but a friend of mine told me to use my stock manifolds that i have. he told me since its cast iron it will not break and crack like a set of headers will during break in. So my next question for you guys is should i take the motor out of the car and put it on an engine cradle and run it that way? like put the motor facing out the garage with the stock manifolds on or just leave it in the car with the stock manifolds on? i am very new to all this so forgive me for asking so much

[flash]

Bill has had plenty of practice ,Ive lost count how many motor changes his current Chevelle has had lately. He changes motors as much as some of us change underwear.