Rebuilt Roller Motor Breakin

[66horse]

Hoping to fire up the rebuilt engine tommorrow. Its a roller motor so my understanding is that there is no need to worry about anything on cam breakin. BUT what precedures should be followed on initial startup?


Thanks!

Steve

 

[RajinCajun]

You're right, no cam break in required. For first few miles(100-500) or so try not to hold a steady speed for long periods..like highway running.. After initial start up, putt around a little and make sure no leaks, over heating etc... then take to a road where you can take off from a stop and go through the gears a few times...then run each gear up then let off abruptly, this causes back pressure on the rings and causes them so seat.. You will probably get several opinions on this, some day drive it like a granny for about 500 miles, then drive it moderately for 2000 before doing anything extreme.. And others like myself feel you should drive it like you stole it from the get go, if it was built right it can handle it... and I would want to know if there is a problem right away.. ;D. With that said, I do take it easy for the most part, I do however stick my foot in a new engine a few times to make sure it is ok... BUT do not over rev it...that will cause problems in any engine.. OH, and run a rev limiter if possibel..LOL!! I know for a fact, my hand will shift it into neutral before my foot can come off the gas...allowing it to hit the rev limiter..

 

[66horse]

Cool, thanks and all other opinions welcome. It should get some good variable driving this weekend as after the motor goes in tommorrow morning, I am heading out to the desert where it will get some good high speed runs and slower crawling through the notches.

 

[craigaria]

On my mustang motor I had built, I broke it in by letting it warm up, making sure there wasn't any leaks, and then I took it up the street and made a 1/4 mile pass. I knew that if it could handle that then all was good. I ran that motor for 4 years and it was still running strong when I sold the car. It was supercharged with 460 hp at the wheels

If you ever watch engine builders with a new motor, when they put it on a dyno they let it warm up and then they take it to redline. Not much break in there...

 

[Broncobowsher]

I like to run them at a fast idle, even with the roller cam. As long as nothing is leaking or othe issues, run it until it is warmed up. The fast idle throws more oil up into the cylinder walls, which is where the rings are trying to seat to. After the first thermal cycle, drive it. gently as you go through the neighborhood, moderate as you leave the neighbor hood, aggrisive down the street, then stand on it and make sure it will stay together.

 

[minimatt]

I'm sure you already know, but I'll repeat just as a reminder. Prime the oil pump. Most failures I've seen have been because this wasn't done. If running a carb, prime it so you don't have to grind on the starter to get fuel up to the carb before it fires. Try and get timing and fuel mixture somewhat close before driving. No comment on driving style during break-in.

 

[scottmcwms]

Cool, thanks and all other opinions welcome. It should get some good variable driving this weekend as after the motor goes in tommorrow morning, I am heading out to the desert where it will get some good high speed runs and slower crawling through the notches.

I agree with RajinCajin. Since you are going to run it through the desert this weekend and you are breaking in a new engine you should change the oil and filter when you get done with your weekend activities. New engine fine machining particles and desert dust should be removed immediately.

Scott

 

[66horse]

Thank you everybody. Now lets just hope I actually get it in tommorrow mornign and get to go wheeling!