View Single Post
  #30 (permalink)  
Old 03-06-2004, 11:49 AM
Pete Munroe Pete Munroe is offline
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: PVE, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 289 FIA #2027, 65' 289" PS wheels
Posts: 345
Not Ranked     
Default Mobil 1 is synthetic

Why the oil is green I do not know, long periods with the engine idling qualifies as "severe usage" in most new car manuals.

I have been told flat out by the builder of my engine, (and have read the break in directions supplied with several crate engines),

"Do not use synthetic oil untill at least 2500 miles or the oil consumption has stabilized."

If you go to www.Mobil1.com they describe their synthetic oils and suggest they are ok for breaking in NEW, as in recently manufactured, automobile engines by the major manufacturers.

I would guess that a modern, mass produced high quality engine has a "ring, piston and cylinder finish package" VERY specifically designed for minimum break in time and long life to meet emissions requirements from the git-go and then for 5 years+.

Opionions of professional high performance engine re-builders opinions would be great here...guys?...but it seems to me the rings, cylinder finishes, etc generally used on hi-performance rebuilds are an older technology, perfectly adapted to the application, but still requiring a ring break in period on standard mineral oil...chrome rings taking the longest to seat, and iron rings less, and the stuff in between, steel, moly-filled, whatever, I dunno.

I would change out your synthetic oil for a good mineral oil, stop idling the engine to show off to the gang, finish the car and start driving it with a heavy foot in the intermediate gears, avoiding approaching red line, but get on it hard without pinging till the rings seat...take your friends along for the ride.

Have fun.
__________________
ERA 289 #2027
Reply With Quote