Re: Engine break-in

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Marty,

A lot of what you have to do depends upon the components you selected. For 
example, the piston rings in my American (SppedPro moly rings) were 
supposed to seat within about 10 minutes of initial start up (assuming the 
correct cylinder finish) so by the time the cam was broken in, they were 
seated. I basically just took it easy for the first few hundred miles but 
more or less drove it as I normally would. I've never had a bit of trouble 
with oil consumption or any other internal problems with the engine since.

Here's what I did with mine:
- Took my time during assembly and made sure everything was properly 
torqued and clearances were okay
- Made sure to use the recommended assembly lubes. If the manufacture 
didn't provide a recommendation, I went with what the TSM said to use.
- Initial fire-up was on plain 10w30 oil
- After the cam break in, I changed the oil and filter (regular oil again) 
and did the final engine tune up
- After about 400 miles, I changed the oil and filter again but this time 
filled it with Mobil 1 10w30 which I've been using ever since

Matt

At 07:47 PM 1/5/2005 -0800, you wrote:
> Initial success with the SX/4 258 install.  Did the 20
> min cam break-in at 2000rpm and all went well (ran
> steady, no overheating).  Drained the oil and will set
> the timing tomorrow.  As far as driving, what is the
> consensus on the break in period.  Most of what I have
> read says to vary the speed for the first 500 miles.
> I drive 18 miles to work each day and about 12 are on
> the freeway.  Would the 15 minutes or so at 60mph be
> bad for the break in (I could try to go between 50-70
> mph if that would be enough variation).  Thanks.
> Marty
>
>
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mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1966 Rambler Rebel
1968 Rambler American sedan
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