Engine is done, now it runs, what next?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Engine is done, now it runs, what next?
Ok, now that it's done, I'm going to drive it to the shop to get the exhaust done. That's about 20 miles.
I'll change the oil after that.
Then I'll do another few miles, 200 maybe, change the oil again.
What should I be looking for during breakin? There are no leaks. I am keeping my eye on the oil to ensure there's no antifreeze in there, and vice versa.
What else should I be doing, and for how long? What should I be looking for?
Thanks.
I'll change the oil after that.
Then I'll do another few miles, 200 maybe, change the oil again.
What should I be looking for during breakin? There are no leaks. I am keeping my eye on the oil to ensure there's no antifreeze in there, and vice versa.
What else should I be doing, and for how long? What should I be looking for?
Thanks.
Last edited by jsup; Feb 19, 2008 at 08:39 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
if your engine's gonna explode, it's most likely to do it within the first 500 miles. after that, the likelihood of major problems significantly diminishes.
as soon as the exhaust is on, as you know get those datalogs done and have alvin go ever them.
a hydraulic cam doesn't really have a break-in period, so break-in is moot. you didn't change the rings did you? chomemoly rings break in real fast anyway.
as soon as alvin says you're good, start gunnin' that engine like a red-headed step-child. your superram will allow you to redline it another 1,000-1,500 rpms higher than when you had that sh!tcrap tpi intake on. hit it hard, all day & everyday, thru the gears.
where is your o2 sensor located? you might as well install a new sensor.
enjoy the ride
as soon as the exhaust is on, as you know get those datalogs done and have alvin go ever them.
a hydraulic cam doesn't really have a break-in period, so break-in is moot. you didn't change the rings did you? chomemoly rings break in real fast anyway.
as soon as alvin says you're good, start gunnin' that engine like a red-headed step-child. your superram will allow you to redline it another 1,000-1,500 rpms higher than when you had that sh!tcrap tpi intake on. hit it hard, all day & everyday, thru the gears.
where is your o2 sensor located? you might as well install a new sensor.
enjoy the ride
Last edited by Red Tornado; Feb 19, 2008 at 09:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
if your engine's gonna explode, it's most likely to do it within the first 500 miles. after that, the likelihood of major problems significantly diminishes.
as soon as the exhaust is on, as you know get those datalogs done and have alvin go ever them.
a hydraulic cam doesn't really have a break-in period, so break-in is moot. you didn't change the rings did you? chomemoly rings break in real fast anyway.
as soon as alvin says you're good, start gunnin' that engine like a red-headed step-child. your superram will allow you to redline it another 1,000-1,500 rpms higher than when you had that sh!tcrap tpi intake on.
where is your o2 sensor located? you might as well install a new sensor.
enjoy the ride
as soon as the exhaust is on, as you know get those datalogs done and have alvin go ever them.
a hydraulic cam doesn't really have a break-in period, so break-in is moot. you didn't change the rings did you? chomemoly rings break in real fast anyway.
as soon as alvin says you're good, start gunnin' that engine like a red-headed step-child. your superram will allow you to redline it another 1,000-1,500 rpms higher than when you had that sh!tcrap tpi intake on.
where is your o2 sensor located? you might as well install a new sensor.
enjoy the ride
Anyway, no, I didn't touch the short block. It's still stock. It's the heads and drive train.
What I am concerned about is the head gaskets. But like you said, if they go 500 miles, they should go forever.
I cringe every time I check the oil that I'm going to see antifreeze in there.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
500.. yeah right.. you would had a problem much sooner than that if you didn't touch the shortblock... you'd already know about it. if you have hit operating temp and let it cool and you haven't had a problem you most likely in the clear.. have your fun with it..
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton New Jersey
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
That made my night.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
I think since you are a roller, the initial oil change isn't as big a deal as flat-tappets are. So I would follow your plan, take it to a dyno shop and have it tuned by a tuner in real life. You didn't spend thousands on a motor to skimp out on a couple hundred dollar ACCURATE TUNE.
Mail-order tunes are like mail-order brides, they seem cheap and pretty at first but they're a real bi$#$ to live with...
Change the oil at 500 miles. Then have fun. I also ran my motor in all RPM ranges in the first 500. Not just 2000-3000. I didn't rev it up real quick, but I would let the RPM elevate and hold for a few minutes very slowly.
Then if you follow my stategy, start thinking about cam swaps and intake porting/swaps in the next 3 months or so...
Mail-order tunes are like mail-order brides, they seem cheap and pretty at first but they're a real bi$#$ to live with...
Change the oil at 500 miles. Then have fun. I also ran my motor in all RPM ranges in the first 500. Not just 2000-3000. I didn't rev it up real quick, but I would let the RPM elevate and hold for a few minutes very slowly.
Then if you follow my stategy, start thinking about cam swaps and intake porting/swaps in the next 3 months or so...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I probably can't get it out on the street till next week. Rain, snow, ect....
Anyway, no, I didn't touch the short block. It's still stock. It's the heads and drive train.
What I am concerned about is the head gaskets. But like you said, if they go 500 miles, they should go forever.
I cringe every time I check the oil that I'm going to see antifreeze in there.
Anyway, no, I didn't touch the short block. It's still stock. It's the heads and drive train.
What I am concerned about is the head gaskets. But like you said, if they go 500 miles, they should go forever.
I cringe every time I check the oil that I'm going to see antifreeze in there.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
have fun and enjoy it!
I stressed myself out pretty hard on the first day I fired mine up only to realize I built a really good engine by being disciplined and following all the right approaches as you have with your work.
Congrats and have fun!
