Reply to "Oil Weight"

Ron,

the other day I made an oil recommendation to you on the BB without asking what sort of cam you are running. This is an oversight on my part. My recommendation is good for a roller cam. However, for a flat tappet cam it is not.

Modern oils for gasoline engines do not contain ZDDP, an anti-scuff agent, because it shortens the life of catalytic converters. There's a greater chance of ruining a flat tappet cam lobe, especially during break in in the absence of ZDDP. Additives containing ZDDP are available . For a flat tappet cam my recommendation is to break in with Castrol, but add a can of EOS available from GM, or a can of Bardahl 1, both high in ZDDP. After 500 miles, run Mobil 1 again with a can of EOS or Bardahl 1 added.

Oil for deisel engines still contain ZDDP. So as an alternative, you could elect to use a Deisel oil, such as Delvac for break in, and after break in use Delvac 1, which is the deisel equivalent of Mobil 1.

My preference would be to use the oil designed for gasoline engines, supplemented with the can of ZDDP additive.

your friend on the DTBB