Rebuild and Swirly Oil

[woodjeep]

So I just finished my new stroker rebuild. 96 block-bored to .030... 12 CW crank -comp cam 68-232-4 all the works new lifters . Been running about 2 weeks now..maybe 3. did the cam break in per comp instructions-cranked it over-well preioled well lubed during build---started on third spin...ran at 2000-2500 for 30 min. Oil came out very hot and grey...a q-tip sized of metal fuzz on my mag chip drain plug. Refilled with castrol 10W-30. Ran good...no pinging no tapping-very quiet. oil press 60+ when cool around 30-40 when hot at idle. HV pump. Put 700 miles on it...drained oil...just a small bit of black mush on mag drain plug...oil drained into a clean pail....super fine metallic? swirlies..will not stick to a magnet dipped in it. How long will this engine make metal...or did I do something wrong during buildup and am eating my engine up...Kind of concerned...any encouragement...thanks

[lafrad]

I've had that initial "break in" super fine metallic look to the oil on several different engines I've worked on. quite a bit of that is actually from the rings/pistons/cyl walls all matching to eachother. (they call it break in for a reason). the powder is non-magnetic metal from that break in process...

If it was anything lifter related, it would be magnetic, and if it were bearing related, the engine wouldn't be running. if you are concerned, swap the filter once half way before your next change, then look for that sparkle in the next full oil/filter change.

[woodjeep]

Ok, this was the engines first oil change after running for some time...I don't count the break in change because I expected that to have metal in it. Go another 500-750 and do the change again? From your reply..it seems normal to have swirly oil for a couple of thousand miles after rebuild..thanks

[Muad'Dib]

You could also be seeing "Swirly" oil from the excess Moly lube used on the cam that is now sitting at the bottom of the oil pan mixing with the oil. It depends on how much of it you used.

[Cheromaniac]

Oil came out very hot and grey...a q-tip sized of metal fuzz on my mag chip drain plug. Refilled with castrol 10W-30. Ran good...no pinging no tapping-very quiet. oil press 60+ when cool around 30-40 when hot at idle. HV pump. Put 700 miles on it...drained oil...just a small bit of black mush on mag drain plug...oil drained into a clean pail....super fine metallic? swirlies..will not stick to a magnet dipped in it. How long will this engine make metal...or did I do something wrong during buildup and am eating my engine up...Kind of concerned...any encouragement...thanks

Sounds like a normal break-in to me so I wouldn't sweat it.

[woodjeep]

Thanks...its my first, so not sure what to expect. Other than the oil issue...no problems at all.