Poll: What's your engine break-in procedure?

Just got my freshly rebuilt engine back from the machine shop and I wanted to compare what you guys have heard about engine break-in procedures. Bring it on
Thanks
Ryan

 

Re: Poll: Whats your engine break-in procedure?

Umm, where's the poll? :?

 

Re: Poll: Whats your engine break-in procedure?

i run mine like im gonna drive it

 

Re: Poll: Whats your engine break-in procedure?

On non HP engines, start with straight 30wt oil, run 500 miles, change oil and filter to what you are going to use normally in it. Only exception to this that I do, is if you are going to use a synthetic oil, run petro oil for the first 3000 mi or so.

Don't run at a constant speed for the first 1000 mi or so. Vary the speed slightly to make sure the cyls are oiled.

 

Re: Poll: Whats your engine break-in procedure?

it depends on how it was bored/built. when i had my 350 machined, it was machined "loose" which meant bored and milled alittle more than normal. this means the only break in was on the rings and when they sealed, i could feel it. if it is machined normally, then its good to break in the cam for an hour and change the oil after that. then run it 500 miles and change the oil. be easy on it for 1000 miles then drive it like you normally would. i think its a good idea to put a small magnet in the oil pan to catch any shavings. cant hurt, might help.

 

Re: Poll: Whats your engine break-in procedure?

Ideally you should fire the engine off, if it runs steady with good oil pressure, immediately bring the engine up to about 2,000rpm and hold it there for approximately 20 minutes. The most fragile part of the engine during break in is the new cam and lifters. Once it has run this long it is safe to shut the engine down and do a quick check, if all is ok start the motor up and set the idle and timing. Change the oil and filter. Once this is done you should drive the motor easily and break it in by varying the rpm over a decent range, the motor should not be revved anywhere near its redline for the 1st 600 miles. After about another 1000 miles change the filter and oil again, after that normal maintenance for oil changes and such.

 

Re: Poll: Whats your engine break-in procedure?

What McRuff said. Also keep an eye on the temp. It is going to run hot during the initial cam break in period. It's a good idea to have an additional way too cool it if you need to. Some people have a large industrial fan blowing(not too effective), and others will run a garden hose over the outside of the rad (messy, water blowing everywhere if not carefull, but more effective). Just my.02

 

My machinist told me approx what Mcruff said. Run it at 1500 rpm for 15 min. Then change the oil. Change the oil at approx 500 mi. Then at 1500 mi. He also said not to high rev it during breakin which is approx 3000 mi. At the rate I drive me jeep it will be a while before the thing is fully broken in

Thanks for all the input everyone.
This site is sure valuable!

 

From pg. 104 of the FSM:

Mas, don't forget to re-torque the exhaust manifold bolts after ~50 miles or so (they WILL back out).

 

Checking head bolts pretty much doesn't apply anymore, exhaust manifolds maybe, the rest not if done right to start with.
Nobody has gone out and bought a new Toyota lately and checked the head bolts after 500 miles.

 

LOL Mike last year I replaced the head gasket on my Honda and asked the guys on the Honda forum if I needed to re-torque the head bolts after 500 miles or so. Yep, I got laughed at. R)