Post 454 rebuild and oil consumption

[txaggie]

Howdy all,

We had our 454 pulled and rebuilt in the c20 suburban. We used king bearings throughout and converted to a hydraulic roller setup through Howard’s Cams. The engine was bored .030 over to 461 cubic inches.

So far I’ve put around 1000 miles on it and it’s consuming around .5 to 1 quarts every 300-500 miles. No smoke, no Pcv issues (Wagner with a catch can), and the engine has tons of power. We did a compression test and all the cylinders are excellent. Plugs look clean, etc.

Howard’s recommended a GP1 10w30 oil. Our oil pressure is awesome, (55-60 at cold idle) and then when warm 30 at idle.

Do these big blocks like thicker oil? Wonder if I need to change to 15w40?

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[Ricko1966]

I wouldn't be worried at this point give the rings time to seat,keep monitoring it it should start to taper off. If you don't see consumption decreasing,then worry. I'm also assuming you have the pcv hooked up correctly and 1 valve cover vented.

 

[txaggie]

I wouldn't be worried at this point give the rings time to seat,keep monitoring it it should start to taper off. If you don't see consumption decreasing,then worry. I'm also assuming you have the pcv hooked up correctly and 1 valve cover vented.

Correct. Wagner Pcv fixed orfice settings on the driver side cover, monster breather on the passenger side.

 

[bucket]

I wouldn't be worried at this point give the rings time to seat,keep monitoring it it should start to taper off. If you don't see consumption decreasing,then worry. I'm also assuming you have the pcv hooked up correctly and 1 valve cover vented.

You don't think a quart in 500 miles is a bit excessive, even for a very fresh engine?

I do agreed though, just continue to monitor the consumption and go from there.

 

[txaggie]

Engine shop said they will back their work so I’m not worried about that. Just the hassle and expense of ripping this engine out and being down again.

What are your thoughts on moving to the heavier oil? The machine shop did mention they don’t like synthetics (this Howard’s recommended oil is a semi synthetic). However curious if the heavy weight might help on consumption.

 

[Vbb199]

What was the piston ring gap

 

[txaggie]

What was the piston ring gap

Not sure. They put it all together as a long block. I supplied all the parts.

 

[mlsceo]

Heavier oil probably won't change consumption but won't hurt either, Give it a try if you're so inclined.

 

[Ricko1966]

I didn't want to start a big discussion about break in oils,because everyone has their own opinion. Mine is, I'd run Dino oil until the rings have seated and then switch to synthetic,if I was going to run synthetic. And monitor your consumption it should start going down.