Oil Advice SAE 40 vs 15w40

[Calif240]

Guys, getting ready to fire up the new 440 that I had built... been reading a lot about oil. Seems that a lot of you guys use 15w40 or similar and see a lot of good recommendations on Brad Penn. My engine builder recommended using straight SAE40 as he said the 440 has loose tolerances when compared with other motors and will flow oil nicely. Knowing that you guys run a lot of 440s and all, wondering if you guys have any concerns over an SAE 40 not lubricating well when the motor is started cold. Seems that the 15w40 would protect better during the first few minutes when starting. The Charger will always be in the garage, so starts shouldn't be below 40-50F degrees worst case. Engine is street w 9.1 static compression, hydraulic roller, high volume Melling oil pump. Maybe use SAE40 during summer and 15w40 over winter?

As far as break-in, I'm planning to use Brad Penn Break-in oil (SAE30) for the first 20-30 minutes (Cam Break in). Then using mostly the same, plus one bottle of SAE 40 for up to 500 miles, then SAE 40 after that. The Brad Penn has lots of Zinc/Phosphorous so I'm not planning on using an additive unless you guys recommend it.

Thanks,
Terry

[Ghoste]

The Brad Penn will do fine without an additive.  I always run a multi-grade oil in mine and I haven't had any issues.  Did your builder make it extra loose or something?

[justcruisin]

I have allways used a dedicated break in oil in a mono 30 for the first 500. Dumped it after initial break in then refilled with the same. I then switch to a 20w50 in a brad penn grade 1. This is with a flat tappet, others may recommend different with a roller. An important thing to do prior to first start up is prime the oil system.

[Calif240]

My builder didn't do anything different (just said tolerances weren't as tight back then), but just said he recommends SAE 40 in all of his muscle car engines because they've compared the bearings on side-by-side motors and the 10w30 had the worst wear, and SAE 40 had the least. Maybe I can just mix in some 15w40 with the SAE40 when going into winter. Thanks for the info back... much appreciated.

Terry

[Ghoste]

Interesting.

[firefighter3931]

Hey Terry 

I use BP 20/50 with a HV oil pump. Cold oil pressure is 75psi and drops to 45-50 at hot idle. Main and rod bearing clearance set at .0025 to allow for thermal expansion under heavy load 

You should have no problems starting the engine in the conditions you describe. Mine turns over fine in sub zero temps. 


Ron

[fy469rtse]

As the guys have said , prime the oil system first, I use the 15 / 40  80 psi cold 50 to 55 hot depending on the weather, but we don't get the extreme cold you guys get,
Less worry about the additives when running a roller cam , but I use the penn grade as well