North American Turbocoupe Organization



breaking in new engine
Boostbird16 Offline
Member
#1
I've totally rebuilt my motor (bearings, rods, pistons, etc.) How long should i baby the car until it breaks in? what would be the max safe rpms for now? how long before i can add boost? how much boost? RIght now i've got about 700 miles on the car and i'm runnin' 10 lbs, but have only gotten up to that much a couple of times. Is this dangerous? I really don't want to blow up this engine that i spent all last summer building. I would greatly appreciate input - thanks
Adam Rafferty
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
This is one of those things where every opinion could be differnet. If you got 700 miles on it it's pretty well broken in. If you haven't done so yet, change the oil and filter. Run it another 1000 miles before you put synthetic oil in it. Start pushing it little. You can boost it and make some brief excursions to the upper rpm range.
Pete Dunham


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cammed99 Offline
Member
#3
most people who build engines will tell you that when the cam is broken in so is the engine, I would change the oil, wait another thousand to 3 thousand miles then if you want to go with synthetic do so, I personally dont like synthetics but to each his own
89 TTA (yes the turbo one)
65 Mustang Fastback 2+2
98 GT
99 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins on 35's
82 Bronco 4x4 FOR SALE
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Boostbird16 Offline
Member
#4
thanks guys. I'm going to change my oil after i get about 1000 on it, which won't take long. I'm not sure about the synthetics though, i'll do some research on my own to figure out my final decision on that. I can't wait to start crankin' up the boost!
Adam Rafferty
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#5
I didn't mean to sound like you have to run synthetic, you do not. My point was meant to be don't put it in until the rings are throughly seated.
Pete Dunham


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turbocoupes Offline
Senior Member
#6
Everyone's break in is not the same...mine has been...after 500 miles change oil and filter and go over engine and make sure everything is as it should be...1000 miles change oil and filter and reck everything...during second 500 miles start running harder with burst of RPM and Good Pulls from a stop to 65 MPH...after 1000 WING-IT...have never lost a motor and have gotten great service as well...did I muddy the water??? sorry didn't mean 2...just my way...

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Garry McVey Birdoprey always in flight
83 86 87 87 87 87 TC 87 XR4ti
Garry McVey "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" TBird TC owners are usually wingin' it
TC's 83 project, 86 donor for 83, 86 FUN street car daily driver with speed equipment from Red 88 donor, 87 blue to be stock street car, 87 red donor for blue and others, 87 red donor, 88 street and strip(now a donor) 14.01 chasin 13.0's, 87 XR4ti project,
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cammed99 Offline
Member
#7
pretty much what I was thinking turbocoupes...I've always heard and read the the bearings are broken in when things reach operating temperature, rings take a little longer but generally not much longer
89 TTA (yes the turbo one)
65 Mustang Fastback 2+2
98 GT
99 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins on 35's
82 Bronco 4x4 FOR SALE
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Seanm5005 Offline
Member
#8
Having built several performance engines, from strictly 1/4 mile to every day dependables. I say if the machine work and the attention to detail has been done then once the 500 miles is put on it, drive it hard if you want to. Just because its rebuilt does not mean that it is going to selfdesruct if the engine see's 5500 - 6000 rpm. Heck if the engine is tired and abused that is when it needs to be babied, in order to keep from hurting something. Unless you are using something other than moly rings, the rings will seat farly quickly. Also the key to engine break in is oil lubrication, and the oil flow is directly proportional to rpm. Like anything else this my opinion, and if the bearing and other tolerances are at spec. than there should not be any concern as to how you drive it, or how soon.
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Monte Offline
Junior Member
#9
Well I dont know much about the TC's but I do know and have built many an engine. The first thing after a 15 to 20 minute run in is to change the filter and oil. This is done mainly to remove the assembly lube (and metal particles) from the filter and oil. Assembly lube will clog up an oil filter and it lowers (when hot and mixed with oil) the sheering strength of the oil. Sheering strength is the oils ability to stay on or cling to the part to reduce wear from friction. As far as when to get on it, I usually tell people to break it in the way you are going to drive it. In my case my engine saw 6500 rpm shifts in the first 15 minutes of its life. I always break my engines in that way. Never had problem yet. That method may not be for everyone though. Monte

[This message has been edited by Monte (edited 12-06-2003).]
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Boostbird16 Offline
Member
#10
you guys are helping me a lot! you're making a little less of a worry wart too. those who say to break it in like you indend to drive it: how much boost is safe in break-in stages? the most it's probably going to ever see is 18-20, but that won't be until i get my intercooler on. right now i'm blowing 10psi of hot air in it. Is this safe you think? I've got an air/fuel ratio meter to check once things need to start being upgraded to suit that much boost, also that way i can mess with timing too. thanks to everyone who has given input.
Adam Rafferty
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