Can oil improve with age?

[Stralya]

Greetings all,

Swifty is due for an oil change. Big deal I hear you murmer. Thing is this, after I changed the oil for the first time after the re-build, you could clearly hear a rattle from the cam shafts. I used Castrol 20/50.

Now though you can't hear any rattle at all, it seems to idle smoother and seems more responsive under power.

So can oil improve with age or have I gone deaf?
Could it be run-in properly now or something like that and if so why didn't it run-in during the first 1000k?

Dan.
Hoping there's a market for used sump oil.

[DiverRay]

Dan,
Most rebuilders will tell you that a FULL run in will take about 5,000 miles! I usually change oil after the first 500miles, and then at 1,500. I also use a NON Detergent oil for the first 500, so the oil will NOT try and suspend the metal bits from the first run in, or break in, as we call it. I've got a '78 engine split at my "shop", and hope to start putting it back together in a few months.

[Stralya]

Thanks Ray,

I guess it's still running in then. I used a single weight oil for the first 1000k for the reason you mentioned. I only use dino oil as well. The thing really glides now, really very smooth and oh so powerful. I recommend the 1196 kit if your going to re build.

Dan.
Ignore me.

[trbig]

Dan.
Ignore me.

But WHY... when it's so fun to blatantly point and laugh??


Tod (Last of the nice guys..)

[randy]

I changed the oil for the first time after the re-build, you could clearly hear a rattle from the cam shafts.

Keep in mind that the cam clearances will tighten up as time goes by. that may account for the disappearing rattle syndrome.