hey guys im in the process of doing a heads/cam swap plus pistons. ive read all kinds of things so far on how to break them in or if i need to at all? i would imagine i would considering im putting new rings on the pistons. im just curious as to what ppl are doing for break in oil, and mileage cycles as far as babying or driving normal for break in, and how long before oil changes working my way up to synthetic.

 

Don't baby an engine with new rings, you need to do some decent pulls and let the engine slow you down. It takes cyl pressure to seat rings.

 

I just got done dropping in my completely rebuilt engine this past weekend.

Here is are my break-in procedures:

1. Once the engine is in and all the fluids are topped off (I used Valvoline NextGen 5w-30), crank it up. Make sure you have oil pressure, check for leaks, add coolant as necessary. If everything looks fine after a 5 minute run, kill the engine. Let it set for about 10 mins, then change the oil and filter.

2. Start the engine and let it warm up. Insert your a$$ in the drivers seat, buckle up and take it on a very 'spirited' drive. DO NOT BABY THE ENGINE FOR THE FIRST 20 MILES!. This is when your rings are seating. Romp on it! Do some sweet 3rd-4th gear pulls and let the engine bring itself back down to idle without using a lot of braking. Put about 50 miles on it, then change the oil and filter again.

3. Drive it pretty hard for another 300 miles, change oil and filter.

4. Continue driving and enjoy your new-found love of your engine.

 

Best bet as soon as its assmbled put it on the dyno for 2 or 3 good pulls then you're set oil chang 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 then on to ur preferred oil change cycle. Just replaced the motor in my car did this and it runs like a champ