The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 prelube questions

Hey guys,

Got the 235 stabbed into my Bel-Air over the weekend. Before we set it in the car, we put 4 quarts of 30 Wt oil in and ran the oil pump with a cordless drill. The gauge read 50 PSI with the pump turning slow. Got plenty of oil to rockers.

Question- Did the oil pump test wash the break-in lube off the cam lobes?

It'll be a few days before we fire her, as we still have to hook manifolds, driveshaft, radiator, pumps, etc up. We will do another pre-lube before firing. Will the motor be OK to sit like this for a few days?

Thanks

Chip

Should be fine. If it was all lubed-up when you put it together, it shouldn't be a problem.

If you have a new cam and lifters you may want to give it some added protection by going to a chevrolet dealership and getting a quart of what they call (EOS) Engine Oil Supplement. I paid $1.00 for a quart at a local dealership. I don't think the price was correct. Drain out aprox 1 quart and add the EOS.

Chiphead, you're exhibiting all the classic symptoms of "firststartaphobia". I know because I was recently afflicted with the same malady. Before starting my newly built engine I began imagining all kinds of potential problems - did I torque every bolt correctly? did I put all the bearings on the right way? is the timing chain 180 degrees out? are all the gaskets properly installed? and on, and on, and on.

Relax, everything's OK. The pre-oiling didn't hurt the pre-lube. With everything pre-oiled, you'll start oiling within 2 seconds of start-up and the cam lobes and lifters will be fine. And don't worry about the cloud of smoke you'll get at startup - that's normal. There's a lot of oil in places where it shouldn't be (top of pistons, etc.) but it'll burn off after a few minutes and she'll purr like a kitten - guaranteed!

Hook up a tach, start her up and hold the idle at about 1500 for about 20 minutes. Don't worry about setting timing, dwell, etc. - just keep her at the fast idle and enjoy the sound. If you have a buddy with you, he/she can keep an eye out for any leaks (water/oil). After about 20 minutes you can decrease the idle and set the timing, dwell, adjust the carburetor, etc. Then take her for a spin - nothing drastic - just a few miles at various speeds. Then change the oil - it'll likely look like it's been run 3000 miles. If not, then congratulate yourself on a very thorough job of cleaning the engine. Put in whatever oil your going to normally run and take her for another run - this time just for the fun of it!

Come back, have a beer, and brag about how good a mechanic you are.

Is EOS a special anti-scuff oil for break in? I'll have to check it out.

How much oil should my motor hold? '60 235, '57 oil pan w/no oil filter. 5 or 6 quarts? There were 3 different 235 oil pan designs. Any differance between dipsticks?

Any safe mininum and maximum oil pressures I should be looking for?

For break-in, the engine should run at a steady speed of 2,200 RPM or so for 20 minutes, right?

thanks,

chip

My cam came with a card that said over 2000 RPM for 20 minutes.

OK, I do have a bad case of 'firststartaphobia', even though Ive done it before.
I'll post the report on how the break-in goes.

BTW, Can I send a few pics to the admin or moderator of the E&D shop? Id like to post a few of the finished engine.

Thanks again,

Chip

Really bad case of it, chiphead. Go ahead and get that engine started and take 'er out for a test drive!

Don't forget to let us know how much rubber she burns after shifting out of 2nd gear, redlined at 75 mph.

-ftyler