Running in a V8 chevy

fergal.b

I will be running in my engine after a complete rebuild and would like to get your ideas on how to go about it,I came across this link http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm that seems to say that hard and fast is the way to go it does make a bit of sense but just want to double check before I blow it up:eek:
Thanks.

biko

V8 eh, niiice

There's an article here you might not have seen already
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/How_to_prep_and_start_a_rebuilt_engine

Looks like middle ground is best, aprox 2000 rpm for 20 mins.

fergal.b

Thanks for that great link and no I haven't seen it:) I think i'm going to have to send the wife to a health spa for the day and hope the neighbours aren't working night shift, it's going to get loud in here

weisses

fergal.b wrote: »

Thanks for that great link and no I haven't seen it:) I think i'm going to have to send the wife to a health spa for the day and hope the neighbours aren't working night shift, it's going to get loud in here

How does it fit in that boat ?:D

Nice block

fergal.b

It's tight but it's in

Esel

Would it not be better to run the engine under load?

fergal.b

Esel wrote: »

Would it not be better to run the engine under load?

Your probably right but as the engine will only be turning a prop I'm thinking the load on it when it's in the water won't be too great for an engine like this.
I'm hoping it would be like running it on a break in stand then again I don't know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf4kQLogPLM

deandean

WOW! Now that's a project.

My OM ran in an aeroplane engine (VW conversion, it was on a stand, prop fitted). He ran it for specified times at each rev count, e.g. 1000rpm for 10 mins, then 1500rpm for 10 mins, etc. Dunno where the schedule came from though. I remember the last few runs, full power (about 3500rpm) for 15 minutes, with stub exhausts, we were popular with the neighbours!


When running it in you need this playing in the background

Gerry

You need to run it at different loads to break it in properly. I don't think running it at 2000rpm for 20 minutes with no load at all will be beneficial. No load running will break in the bearings ok, but you need load to get the rings bedded in properly.
Presumably it will see some load in the water, as otherwise you could have just fitted a 1.0L 4 cylinder engine? ( aside from the noise yes I know ).
If I were you I would run it for a few minutes at 2000rpm, check everything is ok, no leaks etc. Don't idle it.
Then run it in the water for maybe 1/2 hour at a time, don't hold it at one rpm for long. Don't use full power or near full revs at first. You can gradually build up from there. Change the oil after the first hour or two and gradually less after that.
You should check with the engine builder / manufacturer to see what recommendations they have.

101sean

I think I've pointed to this forum before -http://www.v8forum.co.uk/forum

The worst thing you can do is let it idle. I think the advice on the V8 for for a rover was to run it at 2000 revs for 20 minutes to bed in the rings and break in the camshaft. Fairly sure it's how I did mine and it's obviously not under load. Once that's done,, use it normally but avoid labouring it or excessive revs for a while. Mine runs really sweetly a couple of thousand miles on. I also used a ZDDP additive for the first two oil changes, it's something missing from modern oils.

Just found this which says 2000rpm for 30 mins for a chevy V8 - http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/How_to_prep_and_start_a_rebuilt_engine

Gary ITR

I'm having a race engine(4cylinder Honda :P) built by DI Motorsport at the minute but the guy there, Bob used to build these engines all the time in Florida. I'm sure he'd be happy to take a call

fergal.b

Thanks for the help guys and very handy link.:)
When you say "worst thing you can do is let it idle" I might have a problem there the carb is new so has not been tuned in, I also have to adjust the distributor would it be ok to spend a bit of time doing this at low rpm.

101sean

A V8 is very forgiving, it'll probably run great from the baseline book settings, I did my fine tuning after the initial bedding in run. To set the carbs it needs to be hot anyway and it only takes seconds to adjust the distributor, make sure you rev it for a few seconds frequently if you do have to let it idle for a bit. Just leaving it idling for ages is the problem, a short time to check for leaks, tweak a jet etc will be OK and run it up to revs as soon as your happy.

When it's up and running we want a video with a decent V8 soundtrack!

101sean

Close to where I am in the UK at the moment is a race engine tuning establishment, we frequently hear new engines running at high revs for long periods.

fergal.b

Well I did do a little test:D before I lifted in the boat just to be sure to be sure there was no problems and I had good "non synthetic high zinc" oil pressure as once it was in the boat I didn't want to lift it out again. This was the length of time it was run for and the carb and that have now been changed for marine ones.

101sean

Mmmmmm, love the sound of a V8, almost worth it for the cost of the fuel!

On my last phone I had the sound out of the exhaust on the 101 as the message tone.

fergal.b

101sean wrote: »

Mmmmmm, love the sound of a V8, almost worth it for the cost of the fuel!

On my last phone I had the sound out of the exhaust on the 101 as the message tone.

Well as you like the sound of a V8 this is her now