On Fri, 24 Feb 1995, Marcus Tooze wrote:
> The key, or so I have been told by many weathered old mechanics is
> to just take it easy. Top speed is not the issue, but RPM IS. On
> start up you run the engine at high idle to settle the new engine initially
> and check for leaks etc.
>
> Then for the first few hundred miles keep the rpm below 2500 to 3000,
> the 3500 to 4000...and so on. And just takew it easy...no dumping the clutch
> etc etc etc.
>
Well, the poor thing doesn't start to go "below 2500". I figure lugging
it is as bad or worse than revving it.
What really bugs me is the variable in "how many miles/hours" constitute
a break-in period. I've put 200 miles on the engine now and I will
change the oil tomorrow (mainly because the filter I have on there is
suspect, and I am running lighter-than-normal oil).
Weathered old mechanics rely strictly on anecdotal evidence and know a
great deal on how to get things done... but engine break-in seems to be a
little too complex for non-scientific study. Breaking the engine in on a
bench would be the only way to control the conditions reliably, for instance.
Every mechanically inclined person I know has a different method of
breaking in engines.
(Not that >I< know any better, of course).
John M. Trindle | jtrindle@tsquare.com | Tidewater Sports Car Club
'73 MGB E Stock | '69 Spitfire E Stock | '88 RX-7 C Stock
Home Page: http://www.widomaker.com/~trindle
"The more things stay the same, the less they change. - Spinal Tap"
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