The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I'm in the process of completing the rebuild/ refresh on a 360 for my Challenger and want to know the best way to break this engine in and which oil is the best to use.
I've read great things about Royal Purple- although it's pricy. Is it worth it?
There are also 2 schools of thought regarding breaking in an engine- which centers around getting the rings/ seals to wear/ seat properly. I've been told running the motor hard early on for the first 20 or so miles does it good- and then changing the oil after the first 1000-1500 miles is also beneficial. There's this approach, and the standing rule of taking it easy early on.
Which is the best course? I've read that getting the rings/ seals to wear and seat properly early on is a great way to insure no leaks and longer life.
Your thoughts?

Has the cam been broken in yet?

If not then read on.

When the cam is installed it is critical that the lifters were checked for fit in their bores. With a light oil on them they should drop straight back down under their own weight after being pulled up by hand. They need to spin in their bores easily. This is very important.

They should have assembly lube on the base of each lifter as well as on the cam lobes.

Use a good mineral oil and add a zinc additive to it designed for cam break in.

Make sure the engine will start first time. Put fuel in the carb fuel bowls and make sure the distributor is correctly placed to fire up with as little cranking as possible.

When it fires up get the rpms up to 2000 - 2500rpm. Keep the rpms up there for 20 mins.

After that you can shut her down to cool off and take a breather.

When driving the first time use lower gears for a while just to keep the rpms up. After that, change the oil and use whatever good quality oil you want. But oils with zinc in are best if you can find them.

One more question, Dave-

What oil do I use to break it in? I've read some folks use Diesel oil or a specific break in oil for this and then change it out after a couple hundred miles.

???

I wouldn't worry too much about anything other than the correct oil for your engine, but I've always changed the oil and filter straight after the cam break in period and you've got all your timing done

Thanks Adrian.
Best oil to go with for my baby?

To be honest Chuck I just use any name brand 10/40 weight oil with a really good quality filter. If I wanted a comprehensive answer I would ask Eddie

I would use a multi-viscosity oil. Straight weight oils like 30 Wt. are not recommended anymore due to increased time to get the thick oil moving. The professionals at most high end enigne shops recommend multi-viscosity engine oils, non-synthetic be used for initial breakin, BUT more importantly this is recommended by Clevite Federal Mogul and other bearing manufacturers, I know this for a fact as I spoke directly with their enigneers at the engine trade schools I attend. I like Shell Rotella in 10W-30 for breakin duties with .002 or tighter bearing clearances any more than this you should use a thicker oil like 15W-40. Another good oil is Brad Penn conventional which has a large amount of Zinc,(ZDDP) in 10W-30 or 10W-40 especially for flat tappet cams. Pre-fill the filter with oil and prime the oil pump with a speed wrench or drill motor, rotate the engine by hand only while priming make sure you are getting oil to the top end on both sides, after confirming this let it start and bring the revs up immediately, dont let it idle. Bring it up to 2000 to 2500 RPM's and vary the speed for at least 15 min. have a cooling fan in front of the radiator, also make sure the cooling system is filled NO thermostat, you are trying to get the lifters to spin, this is VERY important! I noticed a spreadbore intake, are you using a spreadbore Holley or T-Quad? Adaptor? Good Luck Chuck

See, thats an answer only Eddie can give you Chuck...............I love his reply's

Absolutely!
Thanks, as always, Eddie.