I have a few questions about breaking in a new engine:
1. How long do you need to prime the engine before starting it?

2. Setting the rocker arms: I'm worried that i won't get them set perfectly before starting the engine. I know the procedure for setting them without the engine running, but there ae always a few that aren't quite right. Any suggestions? Break it in and then fine-tune....what do you do? Should I just have someone set them for me so I don't screw it up?

3. Initial 500 miles. I know you're supposed to go 500 miles and stay under 5000 rpm and under 55 mph, but how long a period can you run it at one time? I want to get those 500 miles out of the way as fast as possible, so I was thinking of taking a road trip to get as many miles under my belt as soon as possible. Am I looking at trouble by doing that?

I don't have too many specifics on the engine yet. Here's what I have planned so far:
This is kind of a budget deal too.
4 bolt main 350
TFS 23* cylinder heads
Comp Cams 268H cam
Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
Shoot for about 10.0:1 compression
hypereutectic pistons

 

You only need to prime the engine until the oil passages are full. If you have oil to the rockers, you're done.

I can't remember the last time I set the rockers with the engine running. Certainly not anything I'm driving now. The static method works just fine.

GM actually recommends going up to higher RPMs for short durations fairly early in the process. They don't mention miles to complete the break in at all. The key seems to be avoiding prolonged operation at the same RPMs for the early running (cam break-in excepted). Search this forum for break in proceedure for the last month or so, their entire instructions were posted.

 

Cheat...

Go to a car dealer and read the owner's manual for some new car. I'd be inclined to think that the factories know how this should be done, as much practice as they've had.

 

I got the procedure from earlier, but I just had those few questions. Thanks.