Rebuilt Engine Start-up

[Dan D.]

This is a question for Duke or someone. Been a lot of discussion on engine oil recently, and this fits in.

I am getting close to initial fire-up of my rebuilt 327. Right now I have Valvoline 5W-30 oil in the engine with a can of Comp Cams break-in additive for the Ph & Zn. Should I leave this or drain it out and put in CJ-4?

Most everything is new, cam is hydraulic - Melling Select #22200. I have primed the engine with a drill. Fuel system is a 63 FI unit. Hope I have enough vacuum with the 222* duration Melling cam.

Advice is welcome, and I don't get upset if being called a dummy. After all, I am one.

Thanks Guys, -Dan-

[Tracy C.]

Re: Rebuilt Engine Start-up

Recent thread here....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...86729&uid=4988

[Duke W.]

Re: Rebuilt Engine Start-up

Melling cam... whatever. What about the valve springs... are they OE equivalent or gorilla type?

Assuming you used a "break-in grease" on the lobes and lifters and are going to do a 20-30 minute "cam break-in" at 2500 RPM, leave the existing oil and break-in additive in the engine.

Change the oil filter ONLY after the cam break-in as it will be partially clogged with the solids from the break-in grease, but leave the existing oil/break-in additive in the engine and top it off with CJ-4 to replace the lost oil from the filter change.

Drive the car for 500-1500 miles, then change the oil and filter. Use CJ-4 only with no additives.

Duke

[Jack P.]

Re: Rebuilt Engine Start-up

Hi Dan,

Remember that I am coming your way this summer. I am giving a presentation at the Great Lakes National Convention on Friday July 21, on my 48 state trip. I will be returning thru Upstate NY around July 23.

More posts to come on my short trip to Novi, via Canada on the way west and Ohio Penn on the way back.

Can't wait to hear the engine purrrrrr

Jack

[Dan D.]

Re: Rebuilt Engine Start-up

Melling cam... whatever. What about the valve springs... are they OE equivalent or gorilla type?

Assuming you used a "break-in grease" on the lobes and lifters and are going to do a 20-30 minute "cam break-in" at 2500 RPM, leave the existing oil and break-in additive in the engine.

Change the oil filter ONLY after the cam break-in as it will be partially clogged with the solids from the break-in grease, but leave the existing oil/break-in additive in the engine and top it off with CJ-4 to replace the lost oil from the filter change.

Drive the car for 500-1500 miles, then change the oil and filter. Use CJ-4 only with no additives.

Duke

Duke, thank you so much for your reply. This is EXACTLY the advice I was looking for, and I will apply it to the tee.

Yes, I used Comp Cams break-in lube on the cam and lifter bottoms during assembly, and the springs are new OE equivalent - no gorilla. Pushrods, rocker arms, everything in there is new and OE equivalent. I have pre-read all the recent posts on this subject, and planned on doing the 20-30 minute 2500 RPM initial run. But your advice on changing the filter after the 20 minutes is something I would not have done, but will do now. Again, thank you so much, I feel much better. I will post after the 'light-off' and let everyone know how things are going. -Dan-

[Dan D.]

Re: Rebuilt Engine Start-up

Jack,
Great hearing from you again. Say tuned for a PM forthcoming shortly. -Dan-

[Dan D.]

Re: Rebuilt Engine Start-up

Another CJ-4 question please. Should one use CJ-4 in small one cylinder lawnmower type engines? I don't know as anyone does, nor do manufactures spec it, but they are sliding surface engines and they don't seem to have cam problems.
I know this is not a Corvette specific question, but CJ-4 is. -Dan-