Finally Running! Break in time.

[zanthus]

Well, Thanks to all the help from everyone on the site my 280 has the engine rebuilt and the bugs worked out and it runs like a champ. I was wondering if there is anything special I should do to break the engine in so I can get some better life outta it?

[janaka]

personally i'd change the oil very regularly for the first 1000miles

like after first fire up, 100miles, 250miles, 500miles and 1000miles...then just regular after that. just to make sure that if anything was in there its now out.

i know a few people that break in engines this way.

[graham53]

you might want to read this

http://www.tampabaybritishcarclub.com/Tech_Tips/tech_tips.html

[graham53]

I am going to use this addative for at least the first 3000 miles

http://www.compcams.com/information/whatsnew/NewsDetails.asp?ListHistoryID=833414428

[V8-240Z]

What your looking for is anti-wear additive ZDDP, zinc dialkyl dithiosphosphate. It has been cut down in ppm in modern oils. Any engine that has a flat tappet cam requires ZDDP in high ppm in the oil. These new oils are formulated for the new generation roller cams.

If you look at the class on the bottle of motor oil, "CI-4" is what you want. If you see "CI-4PLUS", "CJ -4" or "FJ-4" it does not have the ZDDP in the proper ppm to protect our L engines, especially the cam shaft.

The STP four cylinder oil treatment and CD2 High Perf Oil Boost (both in the red bottle) have more than the required amount in PPM of ZDDP when mixed with five qts. of oil. It will bring the level of ZDDP at least to where it was back when our engines were new. So using any oil and putting in one bottle of the STP four cylinder treatment or CD2 High Perf Oil Boost should be enough to prevent excessive cam wear.

Hope that is helpfull!