How many miles during break in before I can drive on the freeway???

juiced_94gt · Sep 17, 2008

Well started up the 331 over the weekend and have managed to put 200 street miles on it and it seems to be running fine. Im going to change the oil today but it's hard to rack up miles when I get home because im tired from work but i put 200 I drive 100 miles a day on the freeway for work, is it safe to drive it like that since the motor is new?? should I keep trying to put on street miles?? It does have a new clutch which im also braking in.

cbarr300 · Sep 17, 2008

all the motors I've broken in have been on the highway. The first time I ever crank the engine up it goes straight to the highway. I do pulls in first gear then let the engine decelerate itself. Then I go to second and do a pull in second and let the engine brake again. I alternate between loading it in fourth and loading it in 3rd and letting the engine brake after I finish accelerating.

Doing this loads the piston rings and makes sure they get a good seal. I usually rack up 100-200 miles on my first drive, easy.

I know quite a few people who break their engines in at the drag strip.

I'm sure a lot of people won't agree with this...but I've never taken it easy on an engine during break-in.

Chythar · Sep 17, 2008

While I have no personal experience with this, I've read articles saying BOTH methods are the best - taking it easy for several hundred mils AND putting a load on it right away. Personally, I think taking it easy on an engine during break-in is similar to "a 347 always burns oil and has high wear" issue. Maybe there was a reason for the logic before, but technology has advanced enough that it's a moot issue now.

cobra92usa · Sep 17, 2008

Same here . . . I think the main point from what I understand is it's not a good . . . in fact it's a horrible idea to fire up the car and drive to the beach (sorta speak) . . . what I mean is to not fire it up and go on a "road trip". By the sounds of it, juiced, I'd say ya are ready for some highway time, 50 miles each way to work would be fine.

juiced_94gt · Sep 17, 2008

cool thanks. I think I'm driving to work tomorrow because I'm so anxious to stop driving this damn tahoe. Even though the clutch is heavy, I can't wait to sit in los angeles traffic with it

cbarr300 · Sep 17, 2008

I don't think I'd sit in traffic with a new motor til you got a few more miles on it. Putting a load on the engine via accel or engine braking forces your rings out toward the crosshatches on the cylinder wall making for a good seat as the cross hatches act somewhat like a file.

take everything I said with a grain of salt...everyone has their own way of doing things, lol. :SNSign:

Ask 10 different people the best way to cook a steak and you'll get 10 different answers.

GRGT1994 · Sep 17, 2008

Maybe time for the first oil change? I've heard from an engine builder that it is usually a good idea to change the oil after the first 100 to 150 miles, then again at 300. Like others said, that may be just opinion, but it can't hurt.

juiced_94gt · Sep 17, 2008

GRGT1994 said:
Maybe time for the first oil change? I've heard from an engine builder that it is usually a good idea to change the oil after the first 100 to 150 miles, then again at 300. Like others said, that may be just opinion, but it can't hurt.

Just changed the oil today, it's been 200 miles. it was kinda silvery but I think it's normal for a new build.

turbogt · Sep 17, 2008

I'm a firm believer in breakin it in like you're going to drive it.... hard..

cobra92usa · Sep 18, 2008

cbarr300 said:
Ask 10 different people the best way to cook a steak and you'll get 10 different answers.

I like my steak medium rare . . . still bloody with a little spice . . . NO A1 . . . save that crap for hamburgers.

cbarr300 · Sep 18, 2008

It's normal to have a somewhat silvery look to the oil after the first oil change. MAYBE a lil on the second...as long as it's not on the third and as long as they're no chunks of anything coming out.

First oil that should be in it is a dino oil...you don't wanna run synthetic in there to break an engine in......not to mention it's a waste cuz you only get a couple hundred miles out of it, lol

SVT32VDOHC · Sep 18, 2008

200 miles? You're fine. I have this customer who is 92 years old. He is a retired hydroplane racer, and since he retired he has built race engines for boats....matter of fact he still does at 92!! This guy raced one he built when he was 91. He told me that once a new engine is started up, reaches it's operating temperature, and cools down completely, it's broken in. I tend to believe him because of all the success he has had from the 40's til now.

How many miles during break in before I can drive on the freeway???

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