Engine Break in time?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Titusville FL
Engine Break in time?
I just recently got a new engine in my '81 and I finally got 500 miles on it. (I've had it for about two weeks) Well, I finally pushed it a bit today, and oh it felt great! The man who put the engine in said to give it over 1,000 miles before I start pushing it hard :eek: , but then again, I read on one of the posts on the net that you only must go 500 miles. I was wondering what you guys reccomend? Just how many miles should I go before I start pushing it on the street? Thanks for the help!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 530
Likes: 11
From: Lewes, Delaware
Re: Engine Break in time? (lanceh007)
I'd be more inclined to agree with the guy that put it in there. Me personally I wouldnt run it hard for at least 1500 to 2000 miles just to be safe rather than sorry.... Vary the speeds, lots of of stops and start. Good luck will the new engine..... :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: Engine Break in time? (Rich80)
Depends on what rings and who built it. How many race engines are broken in for 500 miles. Usually after that many they are rebuilt. I had moly rings put in mine and after the cam break in went for a ride. Drove about 5 miles came back to check everything and it was OK. Went out and ran it hard. Only had about 100 miles before the first 6500 rpm blast. After 5000 miles and many runs down the strip it is still solid as a rock. Don't get me wrong break in is a good thing but after 500 miles you should be good to go.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Engine Break in time? (Gordonm)
I agree with Gordon. 500 miles should be good enough, I'm going to run the big block through a 500 mile break-in and then run her up to 6500 RPMs.
Some of the guys around my area don't even break-in their engines whenever they build one. There has always been two schools of thought when it comes to engine break-in. The one guy thinks the engine needs to be properly broken in 500-1000 miles worth and the other thinks you need to run it like you're gonna run it. The one guy around my area built a 318, broke in his cam and then took her out and ran it up to 7200RPMs. Personally I think the rings need to be properly broken in first but you don't want to baby it around for too long.
I'd say you are in the clear to give it to your engine :D
Some of the guys around my area don't even break-in their engines whenever they build one. There has always been two schools of thought when it comes to engine break-in. The one guy thinks the engine needs to be properly broken in 500-1000 miles worth and the other thinks you need to run it like you're gonna run it. The one guy around my area built a 318, broke in his cam and then took her out and ran it up to 7200RPMs. Personally I think the rings need to be properly broken in first but you don't want to baby it around for too long.
I'd say you are in the clear to give it to your engine :D
