I was wondering, after you've started an engine for the first time, broke the cam in, and its seen its first trip around to block- Does it matter how long of a period it is ran after that? Should you try to only use it for short mile trips, or is it safe to cruise around all day around town running errands?

Thanks.
Wes

Wes,
I really don't think the amount of driving is what is important as much as the type of driving. Personally I think it is best to get out there and drive the heck out of it as soon as possible. Short trips are murder, the motor never gets warmed up. Some say that constant speed is no good, I think that may apply to the first couple of hundred miles on it but no more. The biggest thing to worry about is the rings breaking in and with todays rings, if the machining was done properly, they should be broken in after the first ten minutes of running. If it makes you feel any better, a few years ago I did a new 350 motor for my 85 Blazer and due to a real heavy workload, I did not get it installed as soon as I wanted to. Well by the time it got in and running, I drove it about twenty miles the evening we finished and got up the next morning and drove from the Washington DC area to Cincinatti Oh for a trade show with no problems at all. I sold the Blazer in Dec and it is still running strong after about 60K miles and does not use a drop of oil.
I guess what I am trying to say is Drive It !!!

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

I'm w/ BillK on this one. I'll quote my machinist when I asked him the same question(I always ask because each machinest usually has his prefered break-in), "Break in the cam, get everything set correctly (timing, carb. etc.) check your fluids and then drive the sh*t out of it". That works for me. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by ocs408 (edited 05-04-99).]

When I worked for car companies there was no talk of how to break in an engine. The routine was simple. Take a new engine, start it up and let it idle (no high speed cam break in here) until an inspector came along to look for leaks and noises. Shut it off and put it on a shipping pallet. Then let the assembly plant put it into a new car and let some guy drive it off the line at WOT. Simple, no?? Perhaps we make too much of the break in procedure.

Hey guys,

I hate to ask a question in a reply, but at least its on the same lines as the origional post...Anyway, A friend of mine has a 355 c.i., fairly high compression (12+:1). It was built and cam broken in about 3 years ago and he likes to start it every now and then to "Keep things moving". Besides a trip around the block it has not seen any "driving time". I told him that, in my opinion, he should turn it over by hand a little and run an oil pump primer now and then if he wants to keep things lubed instead of starting it. My questions are...

1.) Is this bad advice?

2.) He's getting ready to put it on the road this season, so should he follow the same break-in procedure as you would with an engine that didn't take this kind of abuse (start-idle-off, start-idle-off...)

I'll accept all advice on this subject, as long as it makes me look like I know what I'm talking about! ha,ha

Thanks Gents,
Mike

Mike,
I think starting it once in awhile and driving it would be preferable. The only thing is, around the block is not enough, he really needs to run it enough each time to get everything up to operating temp, and then long enough to evaporate any moisture buildup in the motor, oil, exhaust system etc. I would say at least a ten mile run or so.


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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

Thanks for your advice, and replies. I've seen everyone talk about the right way to start it up, but generally people don't cover what to do once your done running it the first time. I'm getting ready to start my new 454, and I want it to live for awhile.

Thanks.
Wes

Of course you want to break in the cam for 10-20 minutes initially, then check everything out. It probably depends on the type of rings installed, but the sooner you get the rings seated, the better. That means the engine must be at operating temp. before they will begin to seat. I say gradually increase the load, but do make the car work. You'll want to do some accelerating to force the rings to shave off the high spots on the cylinder walls, immediately followed by deceleration via engine braking to help draw oil onto the walls to cool it down some and prevent galling. Also keep one eye on the temp. gauge, since newly machined engines have a lot more friction and therefore heat up more than they will after break-in. You certainly do not want to overheat it! You're right, though. Often too much is made of break-in. 10 years ago I took my brand-new car for an 80 mile break-in trip after leaving the dealership. Today it has 270,000 kms (168k miles) and it still doesn't burn oil, despite the fact that it sees redline on a regular basis.