Engine break-in with synthetic oil?

[69427]

I was looking at the Mobil1 website, and I see that a couple of their synthetic oils have decent amounts of phosphorous and zinc. The 15W-50 variety that I've been using in the old engine is listed as 1200 and 1300 PPM. Along with a bottle of cam lube (I decided to spend the money on a new cam and lifters, rather than reusing the current parts), I would think things would then be fine for the cam break-in.
I frequently hear stories about needing dino oil for the ring break-in, but this thing was honed with head plates, and I would think that the rings will still seat fine with minimal problems.

So, any problems with this scenario?

 

[MYBAD79]

what about the zinc additives from Comp/crane for break in ?? I'd use that with dino oil - synthetic for break in is kinda expensive....

How about Valvoline "racing" oil ? Auto Zone has that stuff on sale, $1.99 a qt for the dino ... 20-50 if I remember correctly.... I considered buying 5 qts for the '79 but I have 2200 miles on the engine and it's about time to switch to synth blend or synth oil........

I am surprised the zinc level is that high in "modern" synth oil like Mobil1.... thought they all had to bring the level down to meet standards dictated (set) by gov ????

 

[69427]

what about the zinc additives from Comp/crane for break in ?? I'd use that with dino oil - synthetic for break in is kinda expensive....

How about Valvoline "racing" oil ? Auto Zone has that stuff on sale, $1.99 a qt for the dino ... 20-50 if I remember correctly.... I considered buying 5 qts for the '79 but I have 2200 miles on the engine and it's about time to switch to synth blend or synth oil........

I recently ordered a bottle of the Comp Cam breakin oil, so I'll be using that. The Valvoline oil price you mentioned sure beats the Mobil1 price. I've already got some stuff on the shelf, but perhaps I'll just pick up some Valvoline oil for the initial break-in and save the pricy stuff for later. I don't know offhand what the ZDDP numbers are for the Valvoline oil, but being a racing oil I would expect it to be sufficient. I'll see what their website says.

Thanks for the AutoZone suggestion!

 

[Yellow73SB]

Looks like I'll pic up a bottle of cam lube and some Valvoline too

 

[MYBAD79]

Dunno that they advertise that price online... two AutoZone stores near my house have a table with 'specials' setup at the entrance... QuakerState synth for $3.99 a QT was one of the specials... 5QTs are $20 at WallyMart so I didn't buy that ... $1.99 for the valvoline sure is a good deal...

If your "zone" doesn't have it let me know and I'll see if I can get a few qts here....

 

[big2bird]

what about the zinc additives from Comp/crane for break in ?? I'd use that with dino oil - synthetic for break in is kinda expensive....

How about Valvoline "racing" oil ? Auto Zone has that stuff on sale, $1.99 a qt for the dino ... 20-50 if I remember correctly.... I considered buying 5 qts for the '79 but I have 2200 miles on the engine and it's about time to switch to synth blend or synth oil........

I recently ordered a bottle of the Comp Cam breakin oil, so I'll be using that. The Valvoline oil price you mentioned sure beats the Mobil1 price. I've already got some stuff on the shelf, but perhaps I'll just pick up some Valvoline oil for the initial break-in and save the pricy stuff for later. I don't know offhand what the ZDDP numbers are for the Valvoline oil, but being a racing oil I would expect it to be sufficient. I'll see what their website says.

Thanks for the AutoZone suggestion!

Valvoline racing is all I use. It is marked "off road use only", but that is all I run with flat tappets. The 81 has a cat converter, but I get great smog certs with it anyhow.

 

[69427]

"Sticky" oil additives?

Just curious about something. I'm pulling the intake and heads off the old engine at the moment, and while I'm pleased how clean it is in the lifter valley, I'm not thrilled about how dry that and the cam and lifters are. I've been using Mobil1 15W-50, and while I know it's slippery stuff, I'd sure like it if a bit more of it stuck to the surfaces prior to the next startup. The engine always got oil pressure quickly, but it's still turning over a few times until the oil gets pumped up everywhere. The cam and lifter surfaces look fine, so I'm guessing there's not tons of wear going on at startups, but traditionally this car (and the engine, of course) sits for weeks or months at a time when I have one thing or another apart. I'm not a big fan of snake oils, but it sure would be nice if there was something that would help keep a little lube on the surfaces between startups.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

thanks,
Mike

 

[Yellow73SB]

Have you considered and accusump?

 

[69427]

Have you considered and accusump?

I've got one on the other Corvette, mostly for on-track protection, but it might be something to consider for this. It won't cure the oil drain issue, but getting the pressure up a touch quicker is certainly the direction to go.

 

[69427]

Dunno that they advertise that price online... two AutoZone stores near my house have a table with 'specials' setup at the entrance... QuakerState synth for $3.99 a QT was one of the specials... 5QTs are $20 at WallyMart so I didn't buy that ... $1.99 for the valvoline sure is a good deal...

If your "zone" doesn't have it let me know and I'll see if I can get a few qts here....

All I can find on this side of town are Advance Auto stores. I haven't seen an Autozone in a long time. Looks like I may have to google AZ to see if they have any stores over here.