A new look at a very old subject.. Oil.

[PC/SR]

I agree with Bill W and JWitt and crank the engine without plugs for about a minute or so. Assembly lube will protect the cam, and oil will splash from the dippers at fast cranking speed.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Sounds like a good way to wipe out a cam lobe or two! The cam and lifters only get oil from what is thrown off the crankshaft. At cranking speeds no oil reaches the cam so the lifters are being forced against the lobes by the valve springs without any lubrication once the lube you smeared on the cam gets wiped off. Cam manufacturers state you need to tune the engine so it will start immediately and then immediately go to 2,000 RPM for 20 minutes. This procedure is critical to the life of the cam, especially in an engine with high pressure valve springs (we're talking flat tappet cams here). If you've prefilled the oil filter and put it together right, no need to grind away on the starter!
Plus, if it's an older engine with a distributor, you can turn the oil pump with a speed handle before installing the distributor.

WELL, '40,
I feel that a good assembly lube will suffice in protecting the lobes & lifters for some LOW Rpm ROTATIONS. I've never lost any cam lobes that I know of. What about the turning of the engine, during assembly? Can that SCUFF a lobe???
Bill W.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Larry did a nice job of stating his situation and did about everything he could to thwart the slammers. I thought all the replies were unusually nice with no rants but with a lot of good relevant information on oils and initial lubrication that I appreciated.
Thanks Larry.

Lurker Nap time?

[Larry Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

#12's response is right on to the T.... Very well said
even though it does not apply to this particular thread since it's not being reringed it was still very good info that was mentioned. (There was always the chance that it was and the OP was unaware of break in issues using synthetic at start up). Post #7 cleared that up

Mitch.. I do know about not using the syns when breaking in an engine with new rings. You told me this some time ago.

No new rings this time.

Thank you, YB..

Larry

[Dodge]

If you want to go nuts, you can use break in oil. It is made by several companies, but
the ones we use are Brad Penn and Gibbs racing. It has plenty of zinc in it and lots
of additives to help all surfaces to seat in. The rings come in real quick with this stuff.
Google it.....

[Larry Jenkins]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker

Larry did a nice job of stating his situation and did about everything he could to thwart the slammers. I thought all the replies were unusually nice with no rants but with a lot of good relevant information on oils and initial lubrication that I appreciated.
Thanks Larry.

Lurker Nap time?

Thank you Cool Hand!

I too have notices a little different demeanor here. Thought it was just me.

Very glad to see somewhat of a positive change. Please.. let's keep it that way..

Larry

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I noticed that also and found it somewhat amusing. Larry didn't really even ask a question, he just stated what he was going to do.

I've just been following along for the ride...

Not 100% true. While he did not ask a question, he did ask for oil comments.

but let's just talk, (again..) about engine oil. Please..

[Larry Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Not 100% true. While he did not ask a question, he did ask for oil comments.

Not quite right, Mike..

That was meant to try and keep the engine rebuild comments out of the discussion. I was not asking about brand or type.

Why is this Forum this way?

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Not 100% true. While he did not ask a question, he did ask for oil comments.

You are indeed correct Mike! Wayne

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I noticed that also and found it somewhat amusing. Larry didn't really even ask a question, he just stated what he was going to do.

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Not 100% true. While he did not ask a question, he did ask for oil comments.

Originally Posted by Larry Jenkins

Not quite right, Mike..

That was meant to try and keep the engine rebuild comments out of the discussion. I was not asking about brand or type.

Why is this Forum this way?

It's all good, I think one of our problems in a forum such as this is we all perceive what we are attempting to convey a little differently.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Larry Jenkins

Not quite right, Mike..

That was meant to try and keep the engine rebuild comments out of the discussion. I was not asking about brand or type.

Why is this Forum this way?

OK then help us out, you did say "but let's just talk, (again..) about engine oil. Please.." but you also say " I was not asking about brand or type." so what would you like to hear? It's your thread you want to talk about oil but not any brand or type, so help us out.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj

The poster in this thread "Larry" made a statement that he was going to use a synthetic oil in his "rebuilt" engine.. Period !

Subsequently he stated that the only thing done to the engine was lapping the new SS valves and adjustable lifters...... Suddenly we have a thread of rants dealing of the pros and cons of using synthetic oil, statements about oil viscosity,break in techniques, etc.

Whew !

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I noticed that also and found it somewhat amusing. Larry didn't really even ask a question, he just stated what he was going to do.

I've just been following along for the ride...

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Not 100% true. While he did not ask a question, he did ask for oil comments.

Mike V
I refrained from posting your very same comment and to add::
Even though the OP did not wish to involve any engine rebuild statements, what is being done in the motor has a direct link to synthetic or conventional oil. That's why I brought it up, I hope this may also help others in the future
It's a great ride

[Rex_A_Lott]

Originally Posted by Larry Jenkins

Here's what I'm going to do. (Gulp!)

After the engine install, that we talked about before, I'm going to fill the engine with 4.5 quarts of Mobil 1 10W-30 Extended Performance 100% synthetic oil.



Shoot! (objectively, please..)

Larry

Do what you want to do, its what you're going to do anyway.

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Sounds like a good way to wipe out a cam lobe or two! The cam and lifters only get oil from what is thrown off the crankshaft. At cranking speeds no oil reaches the cam so the lifters are being forced against the lobes by the valve springs without any lubrication once the lube you smeared on the cam gets wiped off. Cam manufacturers state you need to tune the engine so it will start immediately and then immediately go to 2,000 RPM for 20 minutes. This procedure is critical to the life of the cam, especially in an engine with high pressure valve springs (we're talking flat tappet cams here). If you've prefilled the oil filter and put it together right, no need to grind away on the starter!
Plus, if it's an older engine with a distributor, you can turn the oil pump with a speed handle before installing the distributor.

While this is valid advice for some engines, it just doesnt really apply to a Model A engine.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Larry,

FWIW:

1. Life appears quite simple at times if one thinks in comparables.

2. On a human scale of preferences ...... chosen by a humans ...... if one would try to equate one's choice of Model A oil to the choice of women, it may look something like this:

3. A Groom's Comment, One (1) Week Before His Wedding: "I've been dating this beautiful young girl for six (6) months ........... I love what I see ............ and ............ I'm going to marry this 5'-9" red head who can read Greek & Latin and is knowledgeable in Model A Mechanics."

4. One possible Forum reply, quite similar to most others: "I prefer women over 6'-0" tall, blonde, who can read Chinese and German and is knowledgeable in Model A Mechanics."

5. After 40 Model A Forum responses, deep down everyone can just about guess what this Groom will do ....... no matter what?

6. But then one has to consider that a very few Forum members may:

Try leaving their 4'-5" tall brunettes who can only read English and are knowledgeable in Chevrolet Mechanics ....... and like the Groom, try a 5'-9" redhead who can read Greek & Latin and is knowledgeable in Model A Mechanics."

Hope this helps ...... my wife's Dog Forum with mostly women members appears very similar.

[tbirdtbird]

There are many skilled experienced posters here who freely share valuable info and tricks of the trade. Many of us try to write in such a way as to help future readers; meaning we might expand our reasoning beyond the immediate question, or in this case, the perceived question. We are aware that there will be many many viewers yet to come. Just look at the view ratings. There are really just a handful of regulars and literally hundreds of viewers, and some of us are trying to write something complete enough to help everyone.
It can be hard to know if we are giving more info than was requested, but if we do, that is NOT harming anyone. If someone feels harmed in this way then I truly think they should find another forum.

We are not all equally articulate and thus some may have trouble understanding the true intent of a new thread based on info presented. Again, we are dealing with perception. Perception is reality. A forum is printed word only. Non verbal, no body language, no emotion, little chance for the kind of dialogue found in face to face communication. So we all do the best we can.

Frankly, there are a couple of posters here that seem to get easily offended if the responses don't hone in on exactly what the OP had in mind. Well, I guarantee one thing. No one here is a mind reader. Rather than calling out the responders for their perception, they need to firstly look into the mirror and see if any of their own limitations have contributed to any misunderstandings.
If a persecution complex persists, maybe it is time to find another forum.

[1Tudoor]

[quote=j .

Oil is always good for a rant/discussion. I suspect almost any major oil at almost any viscosity will work ok in a model a.

John[/quote]

amen

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Larry Jenkins

...Getting my old engine rebuilt...

In post #19, I gave up what my engine builder said to do for MY engine.

Probably should follow YOUR engine builder's recommendations for YOUR engine. Otherwise warranty problems will most assuredly arise.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Mike V
I refrained from posting your very same comment and to add::
Even though the OP did not wish to involve any engine rebuild statements, what is being done in the motor has a direct link to synthetic or conventional oil. That's why I brought it up, I hope this may also help others in the future
It's a great ride

I know I fell for it.

[CarlG]

OK, I've heard all about Shell Rotella. But when I go looking for it, there is:
Rotella
Rotella T
Rotella T5
Rotella T Triple

And the prices are all over the place.

What gives?

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by CarlG

OK, I've heard all about Shell Rotella. But when I go looking for it, there is:
Rotella
Rotella T
Rotella T5
Rotella T Triple

And the prices are all over the place.

What gives?

The most popular is rotella T. 15w40.
http://rotella.shell.com/products.html
SAMs club has a good price that's usually where I get it...
Free online shipping for it also