New 383 stroker
New 383 stroker Just recently got my motor back from the Machine Shop, put it back in the car and drove it roughly 100 miles. Changed the oil last night and noticed the oil was very dark and lots of very small mettalic particles in it. Is this normal on a new rebuild w/ 100 miles on it??? Ive been told it comes off the bearings during break in but, this sounds like a load of 
!! 
Please let me know if this is something I should really be concerned about!!
!! Please let me know if this is something I should really be concerned about!! 
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Sometimes engine assembly lube looks like that when it is dissolved in oil, drive it for a while and change the oil again. How were you driving it for the first 100 miles? How big did the particles look? Did you crack open the filter and have a look? If so what did you see?
I changed my oil on my Vette after 300 miles last year after I rebuilt it. There were some metal flakes that migrated to the magnetic oil pan bolt. Most of the metal flakes (if they are really small) are normal for a newly rebuilt engine. Its mostly flakes created during machining.
Last edited by METALBEAST; Dec 15, 2004 at 08:02 PM.
Originally Posted by Nasty_T/A_GT
Sometimes engine assembly lube looks like that when it is dissolved in oil, drive it for a while and change the oil again. How were you driving it for the first 100 miles? How big did the particles look? Did you crack open the filter and have a look? If so what did you see?
I just hope Im overreacting. I started it up lastnight and let it idle for an hour, and sofar the oil looks good. Im going to drive it tonight.
Ive heard from several different mechanics that the way they break in a new motor is by starting the engine and letting it run for an hour to 2+ letting it get up to operating temp. and the shut it down and let it cool off overnight. They say it gives the metal a chance to expand and contract by cooling down and then they say the next day, TO DRIVE IT LIKE YOUR GOING TO DRIVE IT. Give it Hell. Well, its my money going down the drain and Id rather be safe than sorry. Ive never broke in a motor that way and dont think Im going to take that gamble now. The 100 miles ive put on it so far is somewhat easing through the gears up to around 4000 rpms. Just hope she stays together.
Anyone heard of that kind of break in???
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i hear from a lot of motor builders thats how the break in the engine...let it get up to running temp. tehn let it cool the whole way off......then drive it like you would drive it.....they say the dont have problems when the run em???
If heard of that break in method. And it sounds good. As a matter of fact during the days when my father was into hotroding, I remember him saying that he did his 396 BB that he put in his '57 Chevy that way. My only concern is that a big part of the initial breakin period is allowing the piston rings to properly seat. I like to at least get 1000 miles on my engines before I really lay into them. Just my $0.02.
