about motor oil, and camshaft break-in:
https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/

 

No one is going to read what seems like 100 pages

 

I read... some of it. A lot of repetition about how great and awesome his tests are.

Cliffnotes about his claims:
-Don't run oil additives, just use a good oil (even with flat tappet cams)
-No need to run break in oil, just use normal oil.
-Use 5w30 if you can build enough oil pressure with it. Install a high volume pump if you can't.
-5w30 Quaker State Full Synthetic is #1
-5w30 Amsoil, Valvoline, Mobil 1, and Pennzoil Platinum (all Full Synthetics) are in the top 20.
-You probably shouldn't go longer than 5,000 miles on your oil.

 

And you know this how?...

 

I read it in the past. Komet summed it up pretty well.
I even took my own notes on his findings.
But oil companies are constantly changing their formulations.
What worked yesterday will not necessarily work tomorrow.
I personally try to use one of the better oils, but I do use the additive because then I KNOW it's in there.

 

Based on what I see posted on several web sites concerning the ****-poor quality of many of today's flat-tappet lifters (probably manufactured from chinesium in some back-alley sweatshop), it wouldn't matter what lubricant/additive/break-in procedure is used---unless it's a roller, you're gonna have a problem.

 

I gave up on studying various oils. Not sure what or who to believe. Lucas Hot Rod 10W40 oil in my old Camaro with flat tappets. Havoline 10/40 oil in the 88 with 4 ounces of Rislone zinc additive. Still wondering about aluminum bore lawn mower engines though.