Thread: Oil preference on first start

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Guys - I've dropped a 350 I rebuilt into my '54 Kaiser Manhattan sedan and have just finished (among everything else) a DIY exhaust system. That was more of a challenge than fabricating motor mounts!

Now that it's about ready, I'm going to prime the oil system and fire her up. Can you guys recommend a particular oil? My plan is a good, maybe 10W-30 with a small container of ZDDPlus.

Thanks!

Tom, others here disagree, but I would never add ZDDP or ZDDPlus to motor oil. Having too much zinc and phosphorus is just as bad as not having enough - it will plate out on the bearing surfaces with high pressure and destroy your machined surfaces. Instead I would use Brad Penn's oil, which has a full measure of ZDDP in the formula, or Joe Gibbs Racing Oil which is the same. There are some other "startup" oils out there, but for me I would not be dumping additives into the mix. Just my $0.02.

I agree with Rspears. You should use a high zinc oil instead of adding the additive. There are a few different brands, but I use/sell/like Joe Gibbs Driven oil. If the 350 was built to specs, the Joe Gibbs oil would be BR with a viscosity of 15W50. Use this for not more than 400 miles or 30 days. Changing the filter after the initial 30 minute cam break-in is preferred. After you drain the break-in oil, I recommend you continue to use the high zinc oil for proper protection. Joe Gibbs HR1 is 15W50, and HR2 is 10W30.

Thanks Guys! Good advice. I'll look for this Joe Gibbs oil.

iv`e only built ford engines for the last 30 years and iv'e never been concerned with break in procedures or special oils to do so .. i just start them on pennzoil 10w 30 and stay with it .. i do remember some chevy stuff i built in another lifetime that did freak out if not done a certain way ...

Got the Gibbs break-in good stuff and fired up the 350 successfully yesterday. Had to shut down after a minute or so due to a fuel leak at the mech. pump. (Need to get the right flared fitting today) Hope to complete the break-in later today. My DIY exhaust system is a little louder than I'd like, but I realize it's hard to quiet a 350!