Engine Break-in Procedure

[Joe Walsh]

I'm in the process of installing my 5.0 forged DOHC and my engine builder, Modular Performance, Emailed me this website when I inquired about the engine 'Break-in' procedures. They said that it is "something to consider"....

www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I'm not sure what to think....I will call Modular Performance to see if they have used this procedure for any of their engines, and if they warranty an engine that is broken-in this way.

Has anyone else seen this type of 'run it hard' break-in procedures???

[King Fubar]

I got mine in July of 04 with 140 test drive miles on it. I've drove it hard since day one because I paid for all 302 horses I never had a problem I figured thats what the warranty was for. I drive it hard now just to hear the S/C not much of a warranty left but what can ya do....

[torinodan]

I've done this to several of my own cars including my Torino. The block in the Torino has only ever been honed out and ran up as stated "hard". Never a problem for me with it or anything else I've put together.

[MarauderMark]

It seems that this only applies to bike engines..Nothing directly said about a car engine.I don't know it they are they same.. :dunno:

[DEFYANT]

I believe new car engines are broken in already before they are installed. I doubt a specialty engine builder can do that.

[merc406]

I've only built 6 motors, after the initial cam breakin period, I umm, never babied any of them and they all ran for years with no problems, I always figured to run em hard to keep the ridge at the highest point. The article is right, if their is a problem with a motor it's gonna show up no matter what you do. Oil changes early on is right on and also get an oil that is with Zinc.

[ctrcbob]

Mark,

They are the same. Bikes had many modern things, including DOHC engines, long before cars.

.

[MarauderMark]

Mark,

They are the same. Bikes had many modern things, including DOHC engines, long before cars.

.
Thank you Bob .i dont anything about bikes , except the ones you pedal.. :D

[SergntMac]

When Randy Crowley of PER finished my build, I asked the same question, and got the same mixed answer. He suggested that I take it easy and vary the PRMs for 500 miles, watch for fluid leaks and loose wires. He added, with a shrug of indifference, that many of his builds leave his shop headed directly for the race track, and a promise of what ever happens, we'll fix it, but it ain't coming apart."

So, on the way home from PER with the new build, I ran it up to 100 or so on the highway, enroute to the dyno for some test pulls. BTW, when I dyno my stuff, I drive it through the gears from a dead stop. Later that week, a long haul OTR to Lidio's for tuning, and I varied the RPMs, mostly over 4 grand. Guess I don't take advice well. I am completely satisfied with the performance achieved, this engine rocks.

My advice? Beat it like a junkyard dog.

[stevengerard]

Rebuilt two 455's, changed oil at 50, 100, 250, and again at 500 miles and then beat the crap out of them, no problems. Did the same with this engine, though I leaned into more often earlier. Lidio had it up to almost 7000 rpms with 476 hp and I've been beating it since.

[FordNut]

Drive it like you stole it...

[metroplex]

Oil Change: at first 500 miles
then at 1000 miles
regular OCIs afterwards.

Driving Style:
Take it easy for the first 1000 miles.
Then drive it like you stole it afterwards.

[Ross]

The only problem I see with this kind of break in advice, is that you might not see problems until well down the road. Now, if you only intend to keep your car for 50 or 75K and then trade it in, it might not make any difference. But, if you intend to keep it a long time, a hard break in might (at least theoretically) result in a need for a rebuild a lot sooner. Just my .02. I'm not a wrench.

[twolow]

My break in period consists of letting the car rest for 8 hours while I sleep to get it ready for another day of WOT while looking for cops.


By the way, I think my reckless fast driving leads many to think 'I' am the cop (or more so a detective) as most get over and out of my way and half the cops I pass wave at me!

[Bradley G]

I agree with Ross and Mac,If the Break-in period lasts 50-75K:burnout: :P you may have to rebuild sooner:D This Break-in makes sense to me! Mine had 61 miles and was not traded from another dealer.
If this is accurate,I hope Whoever test drove mine prior to me purchaceing it,Beat the everlivin snotS outta it!:fishslap:
Bradley G

[RVT04]

I agree with Ross and Mac,If the Break-in period lasts 50-75K:burnout: :P you may have to rebuild sooner:D This Break-in makes sense to me! Mine had 61 miles and was not traded from another dealer.
If this is accurate,I hope Whoever test drove mine prior to me purchaceing it,Beat the everlivin snotS outta it!:fishslap:
Bradley G
i rebuilt several bikes when i was young and the topend on the hondas always went first and on the yamahas they were wot as soon as i could get em back together
but that was then an this is now. the last big block we did was a fe series y-block 360/ .030 over, decked the heads, 10/10 the crank,. new forgetrue rods and sealpower pistons i used 4 qts of strait 30wt pennzoil and one qt of marvel mystery oil on initial fire up it was assembled with lubriplate 105 and then primed the oil pump to 60 psi with a drill motor when it lit i held it at 2000 rpm for 20 minutes and shut it off and drained the oil, new pennzoil 30 wt put it on the street and pounded it around town for 200 miles changed the oil again and ran it to new orleans and back about 1000 miles as hard as i could run it and changed the oil again it checked 130 psi on every cylinder and my friends that was in 1991 and i still drive that old ford truck today and it still runs like a top now if i could just figger out how to get more than 10 mpg out of it LOL, heh maybe a smaller fuel line :banana:
i have to say pound it,or break it in like you plan to drive it-