<VV> Synthetic Oil again/Breakin period

[VairMech@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/9/2004 1:24:19 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
cmzaustin1@netscape.net writes:
1) Is the "break in period" defined as 1000 miles, or 3000 miles, or 
some other number, or is there something about the functioning of the 
car that would tell me the engine is fully broken in?

2) Do the recommendations for oil weight viscosity change for a newly 
rebuilt tight engine?  Living in Texas, I would gladly use 20W50 in the 
summer provided that is not too thick for a freshly rebuilt engine which 
has just completed its breakin.
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    #1
    The breakin period is a matter of how you drive the car. If you 
tenderfoot the car all the time then the engine will never get broken in. My race 
engine was broken in in 100 miles. 
    I have a procedure that I give to all my customers. Basically it says, 
use full throttle on acceleration but do not hold the throttle for extended 
time. Do not hold full throttle for a full RPM shift. Try to keep the RPM under 
3000 RPM. Change oil at the first 500 miles. City driving is the best way to 
break in an engine, no long steady trips. At 1500 miles change the oil again. You 
can now venture into the higher RPM range for short bursts. At 3000 miles 
change the oil again and you should be ready to do anything with your engine, 
including putting in AMSOIL synthetic.
    This is the short version, if anyone would like my full page version for 
breakin procedure I will gladly send it to them.
    #2
    You will do very well using a 10W-40 oil through out the life of the 
engine, only an older worn engine will benefit from the 20W-50. Some think that 
with the higher heat you need the thicker oil, wrong thinking. The 10W-40 oil 
will run cooler than the 20W-50 will at any given temerature and lubricate 
better when cold which is where 90% of the wear comes from anyway.
    Ken Hand