Running in procedure ?

[jamieandthemagic]

Following full rebuild of my Alfa Nord engine.....
Keep the revs below 3k for 20miles.
Then oil change
Then drive normally, but give full throttle in a high gear at low revs occasionally.
Then oil change after 1000miles

Am I right or wrong with the above?

Edited by jamieandthemagic on Monday 4th January 22:44

[uk66fastback]

I'd say 200 maybe, not 20... And no short trips yet ... Otherwise sounds fine. I did the first oil change at 500 on my V8 Ford engine.

[caziques]

Remember running in is principally getting the piston rings to bed into the bores.

Make sure the oil isn't too good otherwise the compression rings, which scrape the last bits of oil off, won't seal properly.

ie don't use a synthetic until the engine has stopped burning oil.

[Willhire89]

First change at 500 miles would be my selection - 20 too soon/unnecessary on a car with a filter

Cheapo oil is a must as mentioned - good oil and it will not actually run in

I would avoid any long bursts at high revs until 1500 miles plus.

[anonymous-user]

vary engine speed, a 200 mile drive on a b roads going through towns, not a 50mph drive up the motor way.

[crankedup]

Sounds fine, just make sure you keep the engine running nice and freely changing gear to keep it spinning in the rev range you mention.

[tapkaJohnD]

First start-up, run for at least 20 minutes, varying the speed between idle and about 3K, never let it rest at one speed.
This is a critical time for cams, and you don't want any harmonics keeping them dry, ever.

Then drive it, but with a 'pendulum throttle'.
This means hard acceleration in as high a gear as possible without bogging the engine.
Followed by coasting the speed back down again, in gear.
The first forces the rings against the bores
The second sucks oil up into the bores and rings, to promote lubricated wear, and avoid glazing.

Do this continuously, while road conditions allow. It's safe to drive normally when they don't, but choose your route to allow as much as possible of 'pendulum'.

500 miles doesn't take long, you could do it in a weekend.
Then change oil and filter. Re-torque head nuts? (Don't know for an Alfa), and go-go-go!

John
PS Yes, cheapo oil, but add some ZNDP for the cams as much as anything. The US Lucas form sell a 'Breakin Additive' with as much ZNDP as you would w
ant.

[uk66fastback]

Was the engine rebuilt and run on a test stand? Has it run at all yet? Or is it back in the car without being run?

Remember to spin it over on a charged battery with either the plugs out or the coil disconnected to get the oil round and the pressure up ...