Engine broke in?

[Juan Veldez]

Just put 300 miles on the new motor rebuild. Mostly to car shows and wineries, lol. She sounds and runs GREAT. Hit the 4 barrel for the first time, dang she scoots! Time for a oil and filter change, or do I wait for 500 miles?

 

[pschlosser]

the initial break-in oil may have high levels of zinc. it may be good to leave that in to 500 miles, unless you add a ZDDP oil additive on this next oil change.

or just replace the oil filter, and top it off.

 

[Juan Veldez]

the initial break-in oil may have high levels of zinc. it may be good to leave that in to 500 miles, unless you add a ZDDP oil additive on this next oil change.

or just replace the oil filter, and top it off.

I used Driven 10W-40 break-in oil, Driven grease, and Driven lube for the initial break-in with a Wix filter. I now have Driven GP-1 10W-40 and another Wix filter ready to go in. Both oils have the levels of zinc preferred for the old school muscle car motors. I am running hydraulic lifters, so it is important.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I would leave it for 500 at least , swap filter if you like

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

The Driven BR breakin oil says to change it & filter out no more than 400 miles. I would do that, then put in good oil like the Driven 15w-40 for example, then change it again at no more than 1500 miles. The first few oil changes ensure the breakin particles are thoroughly flushed from the engine. Lake Speed Jr. talks about this in many of his videos as being crucial to long life for the engines.

 

[540HemiCuda]

Most of the break in wear happens very quickly. After that it comes down to a few heat and cool cycles. So, in my humble opinion, your engine is seated and you can change the oil at any point now that you like. If your engine was set up with tight, street specs it would be prudent to let it go a little while before flogging it too hard, meaning back to back to back hard pulls, but individual sprints with time between them would be advisable.

When I break an engine in on the engine dyno, we generally run it for 15 minutes or so under light to moderate loads while varying the RPM. Meanwhile, I am making the final adjustments and monitoring the oil pressure and water temp. Then we start working our way up to the full throttle pulls feeling that things are seated enough and making sure there is plenty of time between each pull for the engine to shed that extra heat.

And I always like a strong magnet or two on the oil filter. How much it helps; I don't honestly know. But they are not much money on Amazon and the like and certainly can't hurt anything.

 

[Challenger RTA]

filter

Cut the filter open.
A lot of good info above. Drive like you getting on a freeway. On the ramp accelerate to get up to speed and stay there for a time as stated above you feel compatible with. Same for bringing it down so there is trust in the other direction in the engine. Not like the Schuylkill highway in Philly. 20-30 cars linked up on the ramp 10-15 mph then a burst to 90.
I wouldn't drive it like you stole it. At least for a while.

 

[540HemiCuda]

Better yet; If you have any concerns, you can always send a sample of your oil in for analysis. It's not anything I do, but some guys swear by it.

 

[Juan Veldez]

The Driven BR breakin oil says to change it & filter out no more than 400 miles. I would do that, then put in good oil like the Driven 15w-40 for example, then change it again at no more than 1500 miles. The first few oil changes ensure the breakin particles are thoroughly flushed from the engine. Lake Speed Jr. talks about this in many of his videos as being crucial to long life for the engines.

I went to look at the Driven website and they recommend changing the break-in oil at no more than 300 miles. I have seen/heard different times or miles for this first change, so glad you made me look. Thanks much!

 

[Juan Veldez]

Thanks for all the input. Changed out the oil and filter. Took the filter to the machine shop that bored and decked the block, installed cam bearings and freeze plugs, and they took the filter apart. The Wix filter was very clean, not much metal at all. Just what you would expect to see for a break-in. I'm very happy and finally enjoying the drives around here. Probably won't go on any long trips until I get around a thousand miles on it. Cheers!

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

Thanks for all the input. Changed out the oil and filter. Took the filter to the machine shop that bored and decked the block, installed cam bearings and freeze plugs, and they took the filter apart. The Wix filter was very clean, not much metal at all. Just what you would expect to see for a break-in. I'm very happy and finally enjoying the drives around here. Probably won't go on any long trips until I get around a thousand miles on it. Cheers!

Well done! Peace of mind!