recommended driving distance

enferno · Oct 17, 2006

i have just recently rebuilt my motor/trans and i'm about to put them into my car. all i did for the motor was new gaskets, as it had 160 compression in all cylinders, the valve seats wern't worn in, and everything looked extremely good.

considering this, or even on a rebuilt/vs non rebuilt, what would be the reccomended distance to drive a 66' a-code coupe with all stock suspension, motor, and c-4?

the reason i ask is my buddy is getting married in a couple months up in tahoe (about a 2.5 hour drive on the highway from where i am).

would it be wise to drive this? or should i go with a different car?

dennis112 · Oct 17, 2006

If you already have a 100 miles or so on it (shake down) and are happy with the way it runs and are not having any fluid problems, go for it.

Just don't maintain a steady cruise speed all the way as you don't want the rings to complete their break-in that way. Stop maybe every hour and look under the hood.

Oh, don't let your newly married friend borrow your car at the end to drive his new bride away. Shaving cream and paint really don't mix well together. LOL

wicked93gs · Oct 17, 2006

piston rings are actually fully broken in after the first 20 miles...and that first 20 miles is when you can actually have any effect on the break in process, people always say 500 miles for the break in, but in reality it doesnt take nearly that long for the rings to wear in, heres an article you may find interesting...

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

dennis112 · Oct 17, 2006

wicked93gs said:
piston rings are actually fully broken in after the first 20 miles...and that first 20 miles is when you can actually have any effect on the break in process, people always say 500 miles for the break in, but in reality it doesnt take nearly that long for the rings to wear in, heres an article you may find interesting...

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I've read that and althought it might be true in most cases, it is not a given fact. One guys observance with high revving motorcycles does not make a complete study for the whole automotive world and long term longevity.

It is also said that if your rings aren't broke in by 1000 miles, then they will never break-in. From that I deduce that to ensure a "complete" break-in, it might be best to observe the old standards and vary the RPM's for at least the first few hundred miles. Besides, there is no harm to done in changing rpms now and then.

1966conv · Oct 17, 2006

I've read your post twice; if all that you have done is just change the gaskets, get a heat cycle or two and retorque the heads, intake, water pump and headers(if you have them) and get comfortable with the car. several short trips, or 50 - 100 miles whatever it takes to make you feel confident.

If you had a complete rebuild that might be a different story, but not much.

brin0357 · Oct 17, 2006

wicked93gs said:
piston rings are actually fully broken in after the first 20 miles...and that first 20 miles is when you can actually have any effect on the break in process, people always say 500 miles for the break in, but in reality it doesnt take nearly that long for the rings to wear in, heres an article you may find interesting...

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

it depends on the rings, some will take a short time, while others will take hundreds of miles or more.

enferno · Oct 17, 2006

1966conv said:
I've read your post twice; if all that you have done is just change the gaskets, get a heat cycle or two and retorque the heads, intake, water pump and headers(if you have them) and get comfortable with the car. several short trips, or 50 - 100 miles whatever it takes to make you feel confident.

If you had a complete rebuild that might be a different story, but not much.

sorry for my post not being as well-written as possible.

i'm strung out on painkillers from a herniated disc in my back.

Jester67 · Oct 17, 2006

enferno said:
herniated disc in my back.

In that case take a different car something with more modern seats 2.5hours in a classic is great but not when you are in pain.

enferno · Oct 17, 2006

Jester67 said:
In that case take a different car something with more modern seats 2.5hours in a classic is great but not when you are in pain.

the drive isn't for a while, so we'll see. i've been doing physical rehab for a few months now and it's really improved. i just overslept so it was pretty sore that day

wicked93gs · Oct 17, 2006

dennis112 said:
I've read that and althought it might be true in most cases, it is not a given fact. One guys observance with high revving motorcycles does not make a complete study for the whole automotive world and long term longevity.

It is also said that if your rings aren't broke in by 1000 miles, then they will never break-in. From that I deduce that to ensure a "complete" break-in, it might be best to observe the old standards and vary the RPM's for at least the first few hundred miles. Besides, there is no harm to done in changing rpms now and then.

very true...but it is interesting food for thought anyway, I tend to break my engines in a little more gentle than he does...but then I am usually doing it under boost too, so it may have the same effect...as for different rings breaking in at different speeds, that may be true if the alloy is different or the thickness, but I still dont think it will take more than 500 miles max, anyway I simply extend my initial break in(constant downshifting and upshifting, varying RPM range and boost level) for 20 miles just in case, then drive it fairly normally in city driving for another couple hundred before going on extended interstate cruises...using that method I have broken in a few different turbo engines and in subsequent teardowns have always had rather clean pistons(except for the tops...which once or twice have had carbon buildup from running too rich...but thats a tuning issue)

Az Pete · Oct 17, 2006

Drive the car locally as much as you can to shake it down prior to the trip. As mentioned, do some 100 mile plus runs. then, carry a small tool kit and a few common parts with you for any problems you might encounter. Also give yourself a bit of extra trip time just in case. You most likely will be good for the trip as far as the car goes.

Now, concerning your back in a classic, I also have two herniated discs in my lower back. I carry a small pillow to position in the area of my lower back for a bit of added support. I also drive our '66 about 1 hour and take a break to stretch.

Good luck with the trip.

CochinoFilipino · Oct 18, 2006

enferno said:
(about a 2.5 hour drive on the highway from where i am).

would it be wise to drive this? or should i go with a different car?

How long have you owned this car? Do you have goodbrakes? I think 2.5 hr ride into Tahoe from any direction means some long windy mountain roads.

enferno · Oct 18, 2006

CochinoFilipino said:
How long have you owned this car? Do you have goodbrakes? I think 2.5 hr ride into Tahoe from any direction means some long windy mountain roads.

i've owned it for about 7 months, 6 or so have been sitting in my driveway while i restore the thing.

the brakes should be excellent, as they're been rebuilt

65ShelbyClone · Oct 19, 2006

You're worried about the car from a reliability standpoint, right?

The engine is the only solid thing in my car and I drove it 70min each direction to work, so thats almost 2.5hrs. I only drove it once to work, but that's beside the point. I thought I had gone deaf afterwards....

If the undercarriage and suspension is in decent shape, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I can think of a few more comfortable cars to drive long distance, though. I drive a '94 Toyota 2WD pickup as a commuter(32mpg can't be wrong!) for ~1:15:00 each direction and it's nothing special, but unlike the Mustangs I don't get sore after an hour.....and my head doesn't hurt.

enferno · Oct 19, 2006

thanks for all the replies.

i was just curious if it needed to 'break in' the gaskets or something.

i'm still learning, so i always believe it's better to ask too many questions than it is to not ask enough.

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