Recommend for break-in - vintage Chevy 6 new build

[nascarnation]

67 Chevy 250 six. (Ok the good part is it's in a survivor Camaro convert).

New +.030 pistons, rings, and bearings, new oil pump and fully rebuilt head.

Figure I'll run 500 miles or so and change oil + filt unless any better ideas.

 

[widman]

I cover that a bit in my oil paper. Look for a CI-4, probably 10w30 (don't have the catalog for that year). I'd run it for a few hours, or less than 50 miles, change once, then again between 500 and 1000 miles.

oil paper thread

 

[Sunnyinhollister]

My first car was a 1967 camero with the 250 straight six and a three speed manual transmission. I think pics are in order!

 

[Bluestream]

Is this the OHC six? That was a great engine that went like a bat out of He-LL

 

[Donald]

Marshall Engines suggests to run to 6K before using full synthetic.
OK to use a blend after about 500 miles. Amsoil sells break-in oil, but appears to be for racing engines.

 

[Chris142]

I'd use a Cam break in addative for the first 100 miles or so.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Is this the OHC six? That was a great engine that went like a bat out of He-LL
That was a Pontiac engine. I "think" it was the first american engine to use a timing belt.

 

[JHZR2]

Id buy a bottle of redline break-in ZDDP suppliment and add it in with a fill of Rotella 10w30. Id run rotella 10w30 as my oil of choice all the time.

 

[84zmyfavorite]

I would use a plain ol Napa HD30, Castrol HD30, Pennzoil HD30, so on...

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: widman
I cover that a bit in my oil paper. Look for a CI-4, probably 10w30 (don't have the catalog for that year). I'd run it for a few hours, or less than 50 miles, change once, then again between 500 and 1000 miles.


That's the best suggestion by far, assuming you can find it. With CI-4 additive levels, you're not going to need any additional, expensive additives.

If you can't find something like that, a modern 10w30 with something like Comp Cams breakin additive (ZDDP of course) would do the trick, but not as cheaply as widman's suggestion, which is far more economical, sensible, and at least as effective.

 

[Bluestream]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Is this the OHC six? That was a great engine that went like a bat out of He-LL
That was a Pontiac engine. I "think" it was the first american engine to use a timing belt.


Oh you're right...memory's getting foggy..

 

[chainblu]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Is this the OHC six? That was a great engine that went like a bat out of He-LL
That was a Pontiac engine. I "think" it was the first american engine to use a timing belt.


Oh you're right...memory's getting foggy..

Several years ago I was fortunate enough to drive an OHC Firebird. It ran well! I realize that today's 6 cylinders would run circles around it, but it was quite peppy in it's day.

 

[j_mac]

The 67-69 Camaros had the push rod straight six. The Firebirds had the OHC version of the straight six. I had versions of both in the late 80's and early 90's as a young driver. Good engines they were.
The best choice to break-in the engine would be Valvoline "VR1"
http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/racing-oil/
It is an oil that is made with ZDDP levels like it used to be (a la 1969.) Don't use any regular off the shelf oil you'll find today. An alternative is to use modern off the shelf oil and an additive called "Camshield." Joe Mondello recommended it for flat tappet cam break in before he died recently. Here's a link to a man that knew what he was talking about...
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/04/07/oldsmobile-performance-guru-joe-mondello-dies/

I guess the best and safest bet would be to use a Molybdenum Disulfide lubricant marketed for cam break in (directly on the lobes and tappets) and the Valvoline VR1. Nothing else would be necessary. Just remember to ALWAYS keep the engine running ABOVE 2000 RPM's for the first 20 minutes that the engine runs. DO NOT LET IT IDLE! You'll then have a properly broken in cam.

 

[mitchcoyote]

My first car was a 65 Chevy ll with the 230 straight 6 and a 2-speed automatic transmision. It was the only year that the Chevy ll did not have Nova on it anywhere. It was gloss black. I loved that car........

 

[artificialist]

I would buy RP brand break-in oil, just because the stuff is purpose built.

 

[A_Harman]

Many good suggestions up there.

+ another one: Go to Joe Gibbs Driven web site and read through their information. They have a whole system of assembly paste, run-in oil, and Hot Rod oil that assures quick formation of the phosphate layer on the cam and lifters when the engine is first run and maintains it over the life of the engine.

 

[steve20]

Originally Posted By: chainblu
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Is this the OHC six? That was a great engine that went like a bat out of He-LL
That was a Pontiac engine. I "think" it was the first american engine to use a timing belt.


Oh you're right...memory's getting foggy..

Several years ago I was fortunate enough to drive an OHC Firebird. It ran well! I realize that today's 6 cylinders would run circles around it, but it was quite peppy in it's day.



I think peppy is a much better description than a bat out of .....

 

[steve20]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Many good suggestions up there.

+ another one: Go to Joe Gibbs Driven web site and read through their information. They have a whole system of assembly paste, run-in oil, and Hot Rod oil that assures quick formation of the phosphate layer on the cam and lifters when the engine is first run and maintains it over the life of the engine.


don't forget to bring your wallet to Joe's

 

[steve20]

Originally Posted By: mitchcoyote
My first car was a 65 Chevy ll with the 230 straight 6 and a 2-speed automatic transmision. It was the only year that the Chevy ll did not have Nova on it anywhere. It was gloss black. I loved that car........



Everyone has a favorite reason for liking a particular car, what could be the reason you loved this one?-it's not power, and it's not economy---styling?

 

[nascarnation]

Thanks for everyone's comments.

My engine was interesting because it has 35000 original miles but is 44 yrs old.

The cam and lifters are like new, but it had a LOT of cylinder wear (+.014 inch dia oversize on the worst cylinder, probably .010 dia avg wear on all cyls.) The cylinders and rings looked beautiful, no scoring at all, just worn out.

There was significant sludge in various places, and it was difficult to see the head bolt heads on the bolts inside the rocker cover.

Given the age and low miles, I believe it must have had a lot of cold starts and rich running on the choke, and lots of short trips.