Breaking In the New Engine

[lonelydrifter]

I have heard many totally different ways to break in a freshly rebuilt engine and just want to get everyones opinions. First Oil to put in, how many miles before first change, what rpm to drive at, how many miles before I can get on it...and anything else you guys can think of.

[TheWolf]

if it was plateau honed there is no break in other than the cams... which is minimal. You can take warm compression tests and quit breaking it in once you see no more gain in compression. I recommend after 500 miles to change the oil and filter just in case you had any debris left in there. Cut open the oil filter and check for excess bearing material.

don't forget some joe gibb's "break in oil" ;)

[Sileighty_85]

Im in the same boat too Im dropping in my New SR this weekend so other opinions would be great to hear. From experiance, or actual proper break-in knowledge though of course.

[DP_Michelle G]

If you guys check the fsm it gives you the proper break in.
you should baby it for the first 1000-1500 miles.

[slider2828]

i had my motor fully built as well. Basically my builder, who is highly regarded in the San Jose area and an awesome builder said this.

Run ATF fluid through your motor for 3 minutes. Shut it down, drain it and change filters.

Then run NON-Syntethic conventional oil for another 20 minutes. Then drain it and change filters.

Then run NON-Synthetic conventional oil for 500 miles and then drain it and change filters.

Then run NON-Synthetic, but synthetic blend if you want to for another 2500 miles.

THen drain it and then run synthetic blend till your next oil change. He said no full synthetics until about 7k miles as your seals and bearings are still sitting.

Keep it under 3k rpm until about 3k Miles. And no hard revving until 7k miles.

And I tell you no problems what so ever......

JE Pistons, Eagle Rods, Full Brian Crower head, all seals changed, clevite bearings and everything sitting pretty....

[nrg]

there is no right way to do it. every engine builder/owner has their own ways.

i'd say, just drive it like normal with reg oil, change it after 500 miles, crack open the oil filter to see the status. put in good oil and drive it like normal. unless you're seating the new rings

[lonelydrifter]

I will be seating new rings. Sounds similar to what I have heard in the past. Never heard the ATF thing though. Is there any reason for this?

[WilloW]

Have anyone tried this one yet? I'm sure some of you have read the article before, but I would like to see if a Zilvian tired it. Here's the link http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[johngriff]

I dont know about ATF on a Freshly built engine. I'll add a quart to a Clip engine, or some dirty engine i just swapped in that has been sitting, atf will help get air of out HLA(sometimes) and clean stuff out.

I mean.. i have heard of using diesel fuel on junkyard engines for startup. the mototune link looks good though...

[steve shadows]

a good quality sae 30 wieght can be used in place of ATF. Havent really heard of the atf method either. :(

[Skinny]

Have anyone tried this one yet? I'm sure some of you have read the article before, but I would like to see if a Zilvian tired it. Here's the link http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I totally agree with this, but the only thing i would be worried about is the
connecting rods. I would also be curious if anyone has tryed this method!