How much metal should I expect in the first oil change of a newly built motor?

[Challenger_Chuck]

I just did the first oil change in a newly built motor and I am curious what amount of metal should I find? So far I've found that the first quart of oil out of the drain plug had a distinct silver tinge. The bits were basically like metallic flake and seemed to stop as the oil continued to drain.  I have not taken apart the oil filter yet, but what should I expect inside it?

Thanks

[Chryco Psycho]

sounds right , a small amount of the babbit bearings surface will be worn away leaving a silver metallic trace

[1 Wild R/T]

sounds right , a small amount of the babbit bearings surface will be worn away leaving a silver metallic trace

Not on any engine I've ever built.... Cut the filter... It shouldn't have much if any metal... If it does I'd be getting a look at the cam...   I've seen a few engines with shiny oil.. I've also seen them eat camshafts.... I personally have never lost a camshaft but I sure worry about it & I'm very careful about starting a new engine...

[Challenger_Chuck]

Initial examination of the oil filter didn't find any metal. And I have yet to unfold each paper fold, so stay tuned. 

[734406pk]

Hard to tell without looking at it, but it's a good idea to cut open the oil filter and inspect the element. Do you have a special oil filter cutter to do this? When inspecting the element, look for particles the size of flakes of pepper or larger. This will indicate a problem. Smaller pieces the size of say  "dust"  in a very small volume are usually seen the wearing in process. Change oil and use a quality filter, run the engine for say 250 to 500 miles. Then pull the filter and re-inspect the element. If its clean, your good to go!

[Chryco Psycho]

I guess I just live in a different reality  I have often seen a ultra fine silver metallic in the oil as rings wear in on the cross hatch & some babbit off cam brgs clearances .
 I have also been extremely carefully breaking in cams & doing everything perfectly & still lost 3 cams , that is a whole different reality , disassemble the engine clean everything , replace the oil pump cam & lifters & check every brg throughout the engine , there is no if when a cam wipes !

[734406pk]

I have often seen a ultra fine silver metallic in the oil as rings wear in on the cross hatch & some babbit off cam brgs clearances .

  did 3 filter inspections this week on rebuild engines looking for the same contamination. Drew oil samples on 2 Cummins QSC 550 hp diesels and 1 QSM11-670hp as well. They needed 500 hrs run in time plus 2 oil changes before an accurate oil sample can be taken due to high content of wear metals from break in. Some metal in the oil on a new or recon engine seems common from what I'm seeing. The level should decrease over time.

[brads70]

sounds right , a small amount of the babbit bearings surface will be worn away leaving a silver metallic trace

I guess I just live in a different reality  I have often seen a ultra fine silver metallic in the oil as rings wear in on the cross hatch & some babbit off cam brgs clearances .
 I have also been extremely carefully breaking in cams & doing everything perfectly & still lost 3 cams , that is a whole different reality , disassemble the engine clean everything , replace the oil pump cam & lifters & check every brg throughout the engine , there is no if when a cam wipes !

This has been my experience as well. The first oil change and filter inspection is nerve wracking! 

[turbo224]

Magnetic oil pan drain plug. Get one.

[734406pk]

Magnetic oil pan drain plug. Get one.

Good idea! Someone makes a magnetic filter wrap as well if I'm not mistaken. You can even magnetize the dipstick! At least you will catch some iron particles. Everything helps! 

[Challenger_Chuck]

Close examination of the filter paper appears to be nothing more than dust size.  I have run her maybe 200miles since then and will change oil and filter before I put her away for the winter.  I most definitely will get a magnetic oil pan plug, and was unaware of the magnetizing of the dipstick trick.

Stay tuned and again... Thanks..

[Moparal]

Maybe somone used never seize on some of the threads. Seen it a lot.  Some use it to tq down head, rod and main studs, instead of moly lube.   You just never can tell. Then sometines a machinist just doesnt get the block cleaned right after prep work.  Cam walk, drive pump, bronze bushing, the list goes on.