Re: AMC 401 electronic fuel injection

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Given where ring technology is, I don't know if this is a concern anymore 
or not. The rings (Speed Pro, I think) I used in my American are supposed 
to seat within 10-15 minutes of run time and I don't recall any warnings 
about using a synthetic. Also, lots of high performance cars come with full 
synthetics as the initial fill. I seriously doubt the OEM's would do this 
if there were concerns about break-in.

However, the cam lube you use for the initial fire up tends to plug up oil 
filters pretty quick (if you're using a roller cam, you don't need any 
special lube so this doesn't apply) and at in excess of $4.50 a quart for a 
full synthetic, that first half hour of engine run time gets expensive.

When I rebuilt my American's engine, I used dino oil for the cam break in 
and initial adjustments. I changed the oil and filter after the first 30 
minutes or so with a synthetic blend (cost was the reason I didn't use a 
full synthetic at this point). After about 500 miles, I switched to a full 
synthetic (Mobile 1) and I've been using it ever since.

Matt

At 12:31 PM 11/14/2004 -0600, you wrote:
> Thanks to all the many responses I got on this subject.
> Now I need to make some decisions whether I want to learn
> how to install and program my own injection system assembled
> from various components or buy an off the shelf setup.  I am
> thinking it might be smart to start a fresh engine with a proven
> carburetor and after the cam break-in period switch over to the
> injection setup. I don't think it wise to play with injection while
> trying to do the initial engine break-in that is so important. I found
> an old Iskenderian catalog that states immediately after firing up the
> new engine to run the revs up to 2500 to 3000 for some time more
> than just a few minutes, ( can't remember right now how long it said) to
> break in the new cam. Do all of you agree with that? I have also talked
> with people who say don't attempt to break-in a new engine with
> synthetic lubricants because they are so slippery that the rings may
> never seat. Any one had experience with that one?
>
> Thanks all,
>
>
> Armand

mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1966 Rambler Rebel
1968 Rambler American sedan
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