New engine and "break-in"
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 1
From: Sweden/Stockholm
New engine and "break-in"
I stared my new engine for the first time yesterday. I drove it around 10miles, then changed oil + filter, using valvoline non-synth.
What is a good "break-in" procedure?
And I have noticed I got higher oilpressure now then Im used to with the old engine. Is that normal for a new engine? Its not radical higher, but its higher. I got no blue or black smoke. And the oil after my first change looked almost new, I also open up the filter, and got no debris in it.
Next after break-in is tuning
Thanks.
What is a good "break-in" procedure?
And I have noticed I got higher oilpressure now then Im used to with the old engine. Is that normal for a new engine? Its not radical higher, but its higher. I got no blue or black smoke. And the oil after my first change looked almost new, I also open up the filter, and got no debris in it.
Next after break-in is tuning
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
A change in oil pressure readings can be caused by a number of different things. If coolant temperature and RPMs are the same some of them are:
Bearing Clearances -Tighter clearances result in higher readings
Oil Viscosity - Straight 40 shows higher readings than straight 20, etc.
Oil Temperature - The higher the oil temp, the lower the reading goes
Oil Brand and Type - Valvoline 20/50 Racing shows higher readings than
Castrol 20/50 even though they're rated the same
Oil Pump - Gear and end clearances and anti-cavitation milling effects oil pressure
Rod Side Clearance - Wider clearances throw off more ol
Additional Oiling Holes Drilled - Holes drilled for timing chain oiling lowers pressure slightly
Oil Passage Size - Some builders re-size the oil passages in the block by drilling them larger
Length and Inside Diameter of Hose Runs to and from an Oil Cooler
Oil Leakage at Distributor Shaft - Some distributors now have "O" rings to minimize oil leakage in that area
Engine Idle Speed - Pressure will usually be higher in an engine idling at 850 than one idling at 550
Probably some others that I've forgotten too.
Jake
Bearing Clearances -Tighter clearances result in higher readings
Oil Viscosity - Straight 40 shows higher readings than straight 20, etc.
Oil Temperature - The higher the oil temp, the lower the reading goes
Oil Brand and Type - Valvoline 20/50 Racing shows higher readings than
Castrol 20/50 even though they're rated the same
Oil Pump - Gear and end clearances and anti-cavitation milling effects oil pressure
Rod Side Clearance - Wider clearances throw off more ol
Additional Oiling Holes Drilled - Holes drilled for timing chain oiling lowers pressure slightly
Oil Passage Size - Some builders re-size the oil passages in the block by drilling them larger
Length and Inside Diameter of Hose Runs to and from an Oil Cooler
Oil Leakage at Distributor Shaft - Some distributors now have "O" rings to minimize oil leakage in that area
Engine Idle Speed - Pressure will usually be higher in an engine idling at 850 than one idling at 550
Probably some others that I've forgotten too.
Jake
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 1
From: Sweden/Stockholm
Originally Posted by JAKE
A change in oil pressure readings can be caused by a number of different things. If coolant temperature and RPMs are the same some of them are:
Bearing Clearances -Tighter clearances result in higher readings
Oil Viscosity - Straight 40 shows higher readings than straight 20, etc.
Oil Temperature - The higher the oil temp, the lower the reading goes
Oil Brand and Type - Valvoline 20/50 Racing shows higher readings than
Castrol 20/50 even though they're rated the same
Oil Pump - Gear and end clearances and anti-cavitation milling effects oil pressure
Rod Side Clearance - Wider clearances throw off more ol
Additional Oiling Holes Drilled - Holes drilled for timing chain oiling lowers pressure slightly
Oil Passage Size - Some builders re-size the oil passages in the block by drilling them larger
Length and Inside Diameter of Hose Runs to and from an Oil Cooler
Oil Leakage at Distributor Shaft - Some distributors now have "O" rings to minimize oil leakage in that area
Engine Idle Speed - Pressure will usually be higher in an engine idling at 850 than one idling at 550
Probably some others that I've forgotten too.
Jake
Bearing Clearances -Tighter clearances result in higher readings
Oil Viscosity - Straight 40 shows higher readings than straight 20, etc.
Oil Temperature - The higher the oil temp, the lower the reading goes
Oil Brand and Type - Valvoline 20/50 Racing shows higher readings than
Castrol 20/50 even though they're rated the same
Oil Pump - Gear and end clearances and anti-cavitation milling effects oil pressure
Rod Side Clearance - Wider clearances throw off more ol
Additional Oiling Holes Drilled - Holes drilled for timing chain oiling lowers pressure slightly
Oil Passage Size - Some builders re-size the oil passages in the block by drilling them larger
Length and Inside Diameter of Hose Runs to and from an Oil Cooler
Oil Leakage at Distributor Shaft - Some distributors now have "O" rings to minimize oil leakage in that area
Engine Idle Speed - Pressure will usually be higher in an engine idling at 850 than one idling at 550
Probably some others that I've forgotten too.
Jake
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Originally Posted by devilfish
wow thanks. So in my case it could be "Bearing Clearances" becuse my bottom has been rebuild with new bearings. Perhaps a bit thighter then before i guess. I hear about low oil pressure alot of times, but not high pressure.
In other words you could have high pressure, but no flow - which would starve the bearings of oil needed to cool them.
People tend to think high pressure is a GOOD sign, which in most cases it is good, so long as there is still good flow. Contrary, low pressure usually means that clearances are higher and could indicate bearing wear, which would promote high flow (loss) out of a specific bearing - causing bearing that are fed down stream to be starved.
Just some things to think about.....sound to me that you are fine.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Keep off the throttle until you get over 1000 miles.
Change the oil/filter again at 100, 250, 1000 miles and then revert to regular intervals.
Use the appropriate grade of regular motor oil for the 100 and 250 and 1000 intervals.
Change the oil/filter again at 100, 250, 1000 miles and then revert to regular intervals.
Use the appropriate grade of regular motor oil for the 100 and 250 and 1000 intervals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
Originally Posted by devilfish
I stared my new engine for the first time yesterday. I drove it around 10miles, then changed oil + filter, using valvoline non-synth.
What is a good "break-in" procedure?
What is a good "break-in" procedure?
mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 1
From: Sweden/Stockholm
Originally Posted by ski_dwn_it
Just remember high pressure doesn't mean high volume.....pressure is just the resistance of oil flow.
In other words you could have high pressure, but no flow - which would starve the bearings of oil needed to cool them.
People tend to think high pressure is a GOOD sign, which in most cases it is good, so long as there is still good flow. Contrary, low pressure usually means that clearances are higher and could indicate bearing wear, which would promote high flow (loss) out of a specific bearing - causing bearing that are fed down stream to be starved.
Just some things to think about.....sound to me that you are fine.
In other words you could have high pressure, but no flow - which would starve the bearings of oil needed to cool them.
People tend to think high pressure is a GOOD sign, which in most cases it is good, so long as there is still good flow. Contrary, low pressure usually means that clearances are higher and could indicate bearing wear, which would promote high flow (loss) out of a specific bearing - causing bearing that are fed down stream to be starved.
Just some things to think about.....sound to me that you are fine.
I also start to wounder if my pressure censor is ok.Today when I started the car I got idle oilpressure at 75 psi1! Then when i touch the throttel it "bliped" to 85 psi, then back to 60 psi where it setteld.
Last edited by devilfish; Apr 29, 2005 at 11:06 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Originally Posted by tpi 421 vette
I usually run the engines I build hard, to seat the rings quickly.
mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
slowly warm up the engine to normal operating temps, then drive it like you stole it, remembering to vary throttle position and rpm over a wide range.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by JCAIRE2
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
slowly warm up the engine to normal operating temps, then drive it like you stole it, remembering to vary throttle position and rpm over a wide range.
slowly warm up the engine to normal operating temps, then drive it like you stole it, remembering to vary throttle position and rpm over a wide range.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 1
From: Sweden/Stockholm
Originally Posted by bogus
I am all for the mototune break in process. It's the method that we followed for bastet44's 1987 coupe when I rebuilt that motor this past winter. And it is not consuming a drop!!!
But im going to runt it hard, and vary my rpms.