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MG MGA - How long to run break-in oil?

I installed a new cam and lifters, and new pistons and rings after the second cam failure in 24,000 miles. I am now using Brad Penn break-in oil and have about 500 miles on the engine. How long should I run the break-in oil before changing to regular oil. I am going to use Brad Penn 10-30 when I change the oil.
Ed Bell

Wherever you look, you will find differing opinions about this....
So, here goes....I would change the oil and filter , now.
Frankly, I would have changed it earlier, but , for what it's worth, 500 miles is plenty on the initial break-in oil....
I'm not familiar with Brad Penn, but I hope it's a high ZDDP (Zinc)oil , suitable for solid lifter engines.
I also prefer Kendall GT1 20W50 (personally), but 10W30 is an old standby, and should be fine.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Ed and Edward,
There is also Valvoline VR1 Racing oil available from NAPA and O'Reillys which has high ZDDP, in 20W50.
Ed - which oil were you using to only get 24,000 miles out of your cam and lifters?
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Ed dont leave it in any longer. Running in oil is just that, great at preventing metal to metal contact during break in but it does not contain a lot of the additives for longevity. Also the lumps and bumps that are shed during break in are either in the filter or if small enough still in the oil and its a good thing to get them out of the system. I like Penrite Classic Light as it contains almost twice the ZDDP of VR1 and most others. Its the oil of choice here in OZ for classic cars. Denis
Denis4

I was using Castrol GTX 20-50 and then switched to Valvoline VR1 when I heard that Castrol had reduced the zink, but buy then the damage was already done. It would be nice if the oil companies would have published something about the changes in their oil when they reduced the ZDDP content.
Ed Bell

VR-1 Racing and Kendall GT1 are the two highest ZDDP oils, currently on the market...
VR-1 has a .2% level of ZDDP, while Kendall GT1 has a .16% level...Neither oil requires any additional additive.
I have always used Kendall, since , at one time, it was the only 20w50 high-zinc oil that was available.....
It has always done very well in testing under extreme conditions....
I usually order it by the case, and it is comparitively inexpensive....
The VR-1 IS more readily available. I don't know what the difference in cost is.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Moss Motors sells Collectors Choice 20W-50 oil, with 2000 ppm ZDDP. Its $50 for 6 quarts. Good discussion of oils on the Moss website.
G Goeppner

"Moss Motors sells Collectors Choice 20W-50 oil, with 2000 ppm ZDDP. Its $50 for 6 quarts. Good discussion of oils on the Moss website."

That would be the same as the VR-1, if my math is right...
The website that I checked probably didn't consider some of the specialty brands of oil....Collector's Choice is not one that I am familiar with...I wonder who it is made by?
Of course, you have to add 12-15 dollars in shipping cost.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

I would be interested in knowing the brand name of the cam that failed.

My procedure is to use a zinc additive in the initial break in oil. For break in, I then "scream" the engine up and down in third gear for 20 miles (to seat the rings) then immediately change the filter and oil to Valvoline VR1 20W50, run it another 50-100 miles then change the oil and filter again.

Done 2 engines this way and have no problems. According to Motoman (builder of some of the world's fastest motorcycles) all car and motorcycle engines are done this way at the factory to guarantee a good break in (revving the engine up to redline and down repeatedly--not the 20 miles).

JM Morris

This thread was discussed between 03/05/2013 and 09/05/2013

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