The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop using breakin oil

I did see that F/L episode when the cam failed supposedly due to using wrong break in oil. I'm not recommending this procedure, but to Farber's point, I helped my father (he is an expert) rebuild 2 small block chev's for friends in exchange for an old pickup. Both were flat tappets, and all Dad did was coat all bearings and metal to metal contacts w/a squirt oil can filled with the same stuff we ultimately put in the oil pan. Both of those engines went into teenagers car's w/o any break in oil or special procedures and were driven very hard (personal experience) and never had any problems (family friends). My takeaway would be - if I were doing a rebuild, I would use the bearing lube, and break in oil as it's not that expensive for a little extra protection, but wouldn't be so stressed about things going south because I missed a dot here or there. Far more important is getting it back together correctly !