what is your take on this question?


after you have installed the engine and everything has been done.

i.e.: the car runs fine after startup.

but, you haven't "broken it in" on the road yet. does it hurt the car to start it up just to check things or say even just for the hell of it?

before everything has a chance to sit right.

 

In my opinion, you won't hurt anything. The only break in I really do is to run the engine at about 2500 rpm for about 20 minutes. This is provided there is no leaking, unusual noise, or overheating. Then let it go back to idle and check/set timing. After that I change out the oil and filter just in case and check everything once more.

Then...drive it like you stole it!!!!!

But, that may just be me.

 

someone tried to tell me that you shouldn't start it just to start it.

but how would you initially check to make sure everything is ok?

i started mine and even moved it a little bit with no problems. haven't had a chance to break it in on the road because of michigan weather. but it's been sitting for so long i'm tempted to start it just to hear it..........just don't want to take a chance of ruining something.

even though i don't see how you could really. could you?

 

I'm in the same boat as you brother. I just finished my 388 carbed project (after 5 months) and started her up 2 days ago. I would also like to know everyones input on "how many miles she needs before getting on it, say at the track?" I have been told 500 miles is a good break in, nothing less than that? I have started it up just to tune it and listen to her scream, but no huge RPM's in the shop or nothing. My problem is I am leaving for Kuwait, then Iraq in less than a month, so I want to race her before I leave, just in case I don't get to see it ever again.

My car is purring like a mad woman. 388 with 11:1 and Pro Topline alum 220cc heads, 1.6 & 1.5 roller rockers, and more... She is running with open headers now, but with 3" dual flowmaster on the street, VERY LOUD.

IMO, start it all you want, in fact that should be good for it to breath. Now, how many miles you put on it before racing it is what I would like to know????

Thanks

 

if you have a flat tappet cam, when you start it you should run it at 2500rpms for about 20 minutes, if you dont, you will grind the lobes off the cam, lord knows its happened to me. the only lube the cam gets is splash of the crank, so you have to wind it up some so the cam will get lubed well and break in properly.

 

Well I'm in school for auto tech and we just finished engine rebuild. I did my friends 85 f-150 monster (long bed extended cab) with a 351W 4- barrel high output. The only things i have ever read and heard from my techers who have been doing this for 20+ years is that once done bring it up to 2000-2500 for 15 minutes or so AT LEAST UNTIL AT OPERATING TEMP! even before you fine tune the timing, it's also best to have 5-30 in the motor for about 100 miles because of it's high detergent propeties. This will get any little dirt that may have collected during rebuild and bring it to the bottom of the pan. Once the initial break in is done it is allowed to idle until until after the break in!!! However don't baby the engine, that will actually shorten the life in some cases. Bring it on an open road an fluctuate between 35-55ish within a short timeframe. Also for the first 1000 or so miles be pretty tough on it. Take it to the track, drag it, just don't baby it! Anyway that's about all if you have any more questions just ask...
Oh and make sure to prime the motor before you run it along with doing a coolant pressure test. ok that's all i swear.

 

GOFASTER: *** bless you and everyone else who is over there fighting for our freedom........you'll see the car again so don't worry about that. my prayers and good wishes to you and everyone else out there fighting for what's right!


on the subject: there seems to be quite a contradiction on what's right and wrong...........but it definately makes sense, well some of it.

thanks guys.

 

hey gofaster Im in the Marine Corps. reserve im in the same boat as u but i dont have my project finished and my CO has not told us the definate date yet
so good luck over there and hope we all make it back save and sound

Semper Fi

 

When I had my old Monte Carlo, I ran it at the track the day after I first fired the motor. I started it, ran the RPMs to about 2500 for a 20 mins or so. After that set the timing. All the while keeping a birds eye on the guages and on the floor for any leaks. After that changed the oil, Yes I ran 5-30 like someone suggested earlier. Then took her out for a little test drive, mostly to see how the carb and timing were set. THe next day, we took it to the track. It ran strong out of the box, it had a 468 Big Block in it. But even still, it is basically the same thing.

I don't see how you will hurt anything other than the normal wear and tear that is unavoidable during start ups.

 

Good luck to you Marine. I have been in for 6 years, 5 as an enlisted solider and 1 year now as an officer. My troops are already over in the Gulf, waiting on my slow a-s-s. I am finishing a M1A1 Abrams commander course now, then off to use my knowledge to kill Iraqis.

I guess I will let my car run a few minutes then take her out for a test drive. I hope I can get on it right away, I am drooling at the mouth to drive it.

 

Good luck to you with your ride.

Mostly though, take care of yourself and everyone over there!! Come home safe.

 

good luck over seas

 

Hey Gofaster, If at all possible would you kill an Iraqi for me? If ya don't have a chance don't worry about it, no pressure. Just make sure you come back home, I would hate to lose a fine thirdgenner as yourself over Krazy Iraqis.

Bless all who are over there,


Steve

 

I will try to kill someone, if I do, I will send pictures and post them.. HE HE!

On another notel. I posted in this section about my car. I got the car out on the road today and my gauges are not working, any ideas why? There plugged in and seem to want to work (almost like the start to read, then they quit).

I would like to fix that, because I would like to drive it on the road every once and a while.

Thanks