I have about 10 driving miles on the car but it is the oil I put in it from the get-go. It has been started umpteen times and run for a 5-10 seconds (it was too loud to run it longer with open headers then).

I have a good K&N oil filter but my oil is getting dirty looking and smells a little like gas. After I fire it up and then check it it looks clear though.

Also, it doesn't smoke at all but it looks like the oil level on the dipstick dropped quite a bit since the last time I drove it.

I just got back from another ride!

I'm assuming the gasy smell is due to a rich condition at intial startup and the rings not being seated allowing some unburned gas to get into the crankcase. Gasoline will deteriorate/break down motor pretty quickly. Not only that, but it will also act as a "degreaser" inside your engine and oil won't stick to the metal surfaces, therefore you're lacking that protective "film" on critical moving parts. I'd say change it ASAP along with your filter.

I think its 500 miles after a rebuild, and regular oil, not synthetic.

One at 500 miles and another at 2000 miles

Did you change it after breaking in the cam? I have had machine shops tell me its good to get the break in lube out after cam run in.

Did you change it after breaking in the cam? I have had machine shops tell me its good to get the break in lube out after cam run in.

Yep, you should have changed the oil right after the cam break in before you drive it, then again at 500 miles, then at normal intervals.

Yep, you should have changed the oil right after the cam break in before you drive it, then again at 500 miles, then at normal intervals.


I knew I forgot something...

If it's a roller cam, he might not have bothered with the cam break in.

If it is, yeah you need to change it as soon as it's shut down after that 20-30 minute 2000+ RPM garage howl. The old moly disulfide (IIRC) stuff clogs the filter pretty quick.

I usually change the oil again in 50 miles, again at 200 miles, and again at 500 miles. After that, every 2000 miles until I get to about 10,000 total. After paying for a rebuild, the oil and filters seem awful cheap.

Yep, you should have changed the oil right after the cam break in before you drive it, then again at 500 miles, then at normal intervals.


thats the advice i was always given.

Thanks guys - I'll change it before I flog it again.

Yep, change after cam break in, then at 500 miles. I did my first one with a K & N filter, then the 500 miler using a better filter, a Mobil 1 which is what I normally use. I'll do the 2nd between 1000 and 2000 miles, then will switch to syn oil.

Change it now, Change it again after a couple hundred more miles, then on to your normal change intervals.

thats the advice i was always given.


+1 Same thing I heard from 2 engine builders.

Ask Marv what he does for oil changes on NEW motors....lol....and how often.....:crazy: