Hey guys, last time I read a post like this it got confusing. What is the latest preference in run-in oil or additive for a new engine build?

Last time I built an engine the consensus was Rotella.
I would prefer not to mail order it, I want get it locally if possible


what say you now? thanks.

Brad Penn

I used Brad Penn 30wt with the Comp additive and the break-in went perfectly. Over 1000 miles and still running perfect

Its gonna matter what cam your running... but something
with LOTS of zinc.... to my understanding the zinc
also helps the rings seal better/quicker.... I just
add zinc to the oil(Lucus oil additive)

I've got a stash of older 15w-40 diesel oil, 5+ years old, that I've used with Comp Cams break-in lube. I believe they were already cutting back on zinc and the newest diesels require newer oil with even less. Afterwards I switched to high zinc Amsoil synthetic.

Amsoil has some new break-in stuff of their own, but I haven't tried it yet.

Yes, I get a deal. But I wouldn't use it if it didn't help my vehicles! So I try to provide the info and options so people can make an educated choice.

On a new cam installation I use the the installation lube that comes from the manufacture or comp cams #159 all over the cam and on the bottoms only of the new lifters. A high quality oil, I use Brad Penn break in oil is dumped in the oil pan along with a full bottle of CC #159. Prime engine right before starting it. Find TDC and install distributor in proper location so you can start the engine immediately instead of harmful cranking. When it starts raise the rpm to the proper break-in lever and run the recommended time. I have done this with countless engines and never removed the inner valve spring and never lost a cam. I restart the engine usually the next day and repeat run-in before changing out the oil. Every oil change after that is Brad Penn 10-30 oil and one bottle of Comp cams #159 break-in lube. Good-luck.

I use the Valvoline racing oil for everything. Never wiped a cam and never had any ring problems. Ron

I used Lucas break in oil

An oil with 1200PPM ZDDP and close to 0 Moly.Bill C.

5W20WT Valvoline petroleum based oil and , if using a flat lifter(non roller) a zinc additive like Comp Cams offers Run the motor long enough to break in he cam, maybe one or two dyno pulls and change the oil and filter, cut the filter open and install new oil and filter, fill the filter up with oil first of course, and add ths cam additive again and get after it

thank you guys, i am sure i will use a combination of the info above as my procedure. henry

I use Summit break in oil plus a bottle of Hughes additive

The old Redskin coach, Joe Gibbs, sells a specific break-in oil.

R.

We have a good tech article about this subject on our website. (http://www.hughesengines.com/TechArticles/1engineoils101.php). Here at our shop we use Joe Gibbs Driven oils. We are convinced it is one of the best oils available. Call Dave and ask him about some of the high spring pressures we have had when breaking in a cam. Diesel oils are removing almost all of their zinc package since diesels are now required to run converters. Additives like ours or Comps or whoever, are okay if that is all you can get. They seem to work but the oil companies all tell us that simply adding a package to an already blended oil is not really the best way to do it. For an oil to be blended properly and work to its best ability, the additive package needs to be blended at the refinery. One of the reasons we like the Driven oil is that not only is it high in anti-wear agents (like zinc) it is also very low in detergents. Detergents and zinc actually fight for the same spot in your engine and they can't both be there at the same time.
Joe Gibbs has tons of great videos and articles that can take you as far into this as you want to go.(http://www.joegibbsracingoil.com/trainingcenter/index.html)
If your questions aren't answered there give me a call and I can hook you up with Lake Speed Jr. He is a certified lubrication specialist and loves to talk oils.
In our opinion, based on our experiences, we have had good luck with the following break-In oils.Joe Gibbs Driven, Brad Penn & Royal Purple. We always suggest using a real break-in oil even though we do offer an additive.We stock the Gibbs oils here at our warehouse.
Thanks, Kevin