The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fresh Rebuilt 61' 235

HI all! I just rebuilt my very first 235! Im unsure of what oil and weight to put in it though... I have heard because of the flat tappet cams, use a high zinc oil and a zinc additive or else my precious engine will self destruct... true? The two mahor oils I have heard are Joe Gibbs, and Valvoline VR1. Suggestions? And what weight should i run? The manual says 10w-30 and change after first 1000 miles, then every 2000 miles. Does this sound right? Glad to hear any and all suggestions and feedback, thanks!

Get a break in additive at your local parts store and put in what ever oil you use.

On a rebuilt 235 10-30 should be fine to use.

Any engines I rebuilt I put the oil in it I intended to use all the time.

But what about oil, because of the 235 flat tappet cams? wont any oil without zinc destroy the cams?

NO.
Today's reduced ZDDP oils are only down to the ZDDP levels of pre-1970. If your engine is stock 235 1961, and if you used a good "assembly lube" on a GM/Chevy camshaft you will be OK.
It's like Y2K and the Mayan Apocalypse of 2012, everybody says its true .... I am still waiting for someone to prove Chevrolet needed high levels of ZDDP in breaking-in stock cams on 235 Stovebolts. I await the "Google it and see all the stuff on the Internets responses"....and I still wait to see it in TSB or Chevrolet literature of the period.

Todays ZDDP levels in oils are good for your cam. Don't Panic. They are Ok.