rebuilt engines: changing oil- how clean?

samiam44 · #1 11-07-2012, 10:01 PM

Guys,

I've got my K341 running again nicely(hopefully). I think I did and replaced just about everything possible. The valves, springs, lifter, undersized rod, os piston, govenor parts, car, tuneup parts, etc.... Carb rebuild.. use oil pan, helicoil used pan and spark plug hole.. etc. Re-used the big bearings but they were smooth and tight.

I washed the block out which looked very clean. First oil change after a maybe 3 hrs seemed to be more silvery than I'd like. Cut some and going to keep changing it every 5 hrs or so till it clears up.

Is this normal seating of rings?

It started and hit in the first second or 2 and purred from the beginning. Sounds a little different after the first few hours.

Michael

ol'George · #2 11-08-2012, 08:33 AM

I have experenced some silver in the oil on various engines I have built over the years.
It should clear up, as the parts bed into each other and @ this point it is what it is.
If it is running well & not making unusual noises, I'd leave it alone and enjoy the fruit of your labor.
Yea I know, it knaws at ya. BTDT.

cubs-n-bxrs · #3 11-08-2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol'George

I have experenced some silver in the oil on various engines I have built over the years.
It should clear up, as the parts bed into each other and @ this point it is what it is.
If it is running well & not making unusual noises, I'd leave it alone and enjoy the fruit of your labor.
Yea I know, it knaws at ya. BTDT.

George is spot on. I know what you are thinking with the metallic looking oil. Your first thought is what the heck have I done wrong. Every engine I have rebuilt has the some metallic looking oil on the first change. It will clear up. Follow a good break in procedure and have fun with it.

samiam44 · #4 11-08-2012, 10:23 PM

Thanks for the replies..

I will continue to enjoy the cub. Plan is to change the oil at fairly short intervals until things are clean.
It is a great time to get time on the engine as it's cool weather.. but not wintery or hot. So it's pretty easy mulching leaves and kids joy riding.

Michael

MrGitrdone41 · #5 11-09-2012, 06:51 PM

When i rebuit the motor in my 128 i put a magnetic drain plug that i bought off Kirk engines. I put it in and ran it for 30mins at idle than 30 at half than 30 at full. Then changed the oil out. Than changed it again at 5 hours than to 30 hours. It is still running like a top! The gray stuff in the oil is metal from the ring breaking in. That plug i bought is nice because it catchs all the metal.

samiam44 · #6 11-22-2012, 09:24 AM

Oil seems to have normalized a bit. Now it's just picking up a bit of color earlier than I would expect. I think that's just from chrome rings seating. I will continue changing @ 5 hr increments and then move them out to 10-15 hrs or 2X year.

zippy1 · #7 11-28-2012, 01:23 AM

I talked with my dealer buddy the other week about this subject. Told him I had a very little on first change, and less on the second, then he told me I should see what comes out of a new tractor, alot I guess, but someone said it's because of the break in oil, but I don't know.