Newly rebuilt bbc 489 stroker. Break in thoughts?

[Txaggie76]

Howdy all,

We are installing a 489 roller striker motor in my old suburban this week. Per the builder recommendation, he wants 10w-30 break in oil for the first 50 miles and wants moderate to heavy acceleration with engine braking to help seat the rings (we chose comp cams break in oil). Once 50 miles hits, he wants me to drain the oil and filter and put new 10w-30 or 20-50 in and drive the piss out of it.

I really like Mobil 1 15/50 for my climate and price (Austin Tx, hot summers). However I’m fearful of putting in synthetic too quickly. Will this stop the rings from seating with a synthetic too quickly?

Should I run vr1 10/30 or 20/50 til 1000 miles and then switch to the Mobil 1 15/50?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Beautiful engine; bet you spent some serious coin.
I would follow the builder's instructions.

 

[Furious]

Follow the builders instructions, keep evidence you are following the builders instructions just in case of a failure you have proof for warranty purposes.

 

[PontiacHO]

If it was built with modern pistons and rings, they should seat quickly. I’m old school and would run VR1 20W50 through. That’s a large displacement old school big block even with roller tappets they will be a lot of friction in the valvetrain in that engine.

 

[Txaggie76]

If it was built with modern pistons and rings, they should seat quickly. I’m old school and would run VR1 20W50 through. That’s a large displacement old school big block even with roller tappets they will be a lot of friction in the valvetrain in that engine.

All forged everything, eagle rods and crank, wiseco forged pistons. Johnson roller lifters, crane roller rockers, comp cams Hydraulic roller cam.

 

[PontiacHO]

All forged everything, eagle rods and crank, wiseco forged pistons. Johnson roller lifters, crane roller rockers, comp cams Hydraulic roller cam.

Yep. More high performance oriented. Use the appropriate oil- VR1 20w50.

 

[BigCahuna]

Did you have it dynoed and tuned somewhat?. A bunch of controlled dyno runs usually will break in the engine. After that, use whatever oil your builder has had the most luck with.,,

 

[Txaggie76]

Did you have it dynoed and tuned somewhat?. A bunch of controlled dyno runs usually will break in the engine. After that, use whatever oil your builder has had the most luck with.,,

No dyno. Virgin crank should happen tomorrow