69mi 10 Report post Posted September 30, 2013 351w stock. Flat tappet. My engine builder told me to use zinc additive for break in. Do I need to keep using this stuff forever? Thnx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Conway 264 Report post Posted September 30, 2013 Yes. I am using Valveoline VR1 10/30 Racing oil. Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jholmes217 65 Report post Posted September 30, 2013 Make sure you use a oil specially made for breaking in a flat tappet cam. It will be high in zinc, and low in detergent. Run that for the 1st 100 miles after the 20-30 break in. Then change it out and replace with the same stuff for the next 500 miles. After that, you can either go with a "hot rod oil" that has the zinc in it, or use conventional oil and add a zinc additive. Edelbrock, Brad Penn, Joe Gibbs, Royal Purple, etc. all make oils now that are for older cars with flat tappet cams. I use conventional Castrol 10W-30 with a bottle of ZDDP. If you try to go with regular oil or synthetic oil with a flat tappet cam and don't use a zinc additive, you are putting your cam and lifters at risk in my opinion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danno 128 Report post Posted September 30, 2013 The shop that rebuilt my heads also said it was needed for the break in time. Was yours done in Minneapolois? It might take more deeper investigation and reading to find out if it is needed forever or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
72Pstroke 10 Report post Posted September 30, 2013 Any flat tappet cam will need zinc in the oil. Whether you use an additive or you use oil with zinc in it, just make sure it has zinc. Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fordguy69 24 Report post Posted October 1, 2013 I use zinc additive in everything I own that doesn't have a roller cam in it. They have reduced the ZDDP so greatly in all oil that I don't feel comfortable without it. Way too many flat lobe issues to go without it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sportsroof69 13 Report post Posted October 1, 2013 Valvoline VR1 has the required amount of ZDDP for a flat tappet cam. Use it, combined with a bottle of additive for break in, and then just use the VR1 and no additive afterwards. I've done this on many flat tappet engines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
70Mach03 12 Report post Posted October 1, 2013 I use Shell Rotella 15W40 oil in my '70 Mach. Lot of zinc (1200 ppm) still in it. It's cheap and I change it every 3K miles. I don't race or try to get the last ounce of hp out of the motor but have fun and enjoy spirited driving at times. :devil2: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LiLMike 42 Report post Posted October 1, 2013 From reading this thread I think I should be using zinc in my oil. I have just a stock 351w. Am I correct? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jholmes217 65 Report post Posted October 2, 2013 From reading this thread I think I should be using zinc in my oil. I have just a stock 351w. Am I correct? I would recommend it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Conway 264 Report post Posted October 2, 2013 My 65 car gets the VR 1 too. Special car deserves special treatment and it's cheap insurance. Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jholmes217 65 Report post Posted October 3, 2013 I'm thinking of trying out some of the "Hot Rod" oil from Edelbrock or another maker, mailny for the rust inhibitor they say they add for cars that are in storage for extended periods of time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KIWIASH 10 Report post Posted October 3, 2013 Brad Penn for sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
