460 break in

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Nov 23, 2016 | 09:34 AM

jbehuniak

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From: CT

460 break in

Morning,
I am about 2 months away from breaking in my 460.
I put some alum heads on it, new rings, honed, now bearings, new cam, fitech and its in a 1978 F250.

My concern is that I will be breaking in the engine in January in CT. Temps average 30 and below for Jan. Will starting the engine and keeping is at 2000 rpm be bad? I feel like doing that on such a cold day could have an issue or two.
Its in a covered car-port but that's all. I was thinking of aiming a kerosene heater at it for a few hours before starting it.

Anybody have experience breaking in an engine when its this cold out?

Nov 23, 2016 | 03:03 PM

Beechkid

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From: Southern California

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbehuniak

Morning,
Its in a covered car-port but that's all. I was thinking of aiming a kerosene heater at it for a few hours before starting it.

While I have never started an engine in that temp, IMHO, warm up the oil and then put it in the engine ...otherwise, there should be no issues.

Nov 23, 2016 | 03:14 PM

Daveycracky

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From: Mukilteo WA

How big of a deal is it to install a block heater, and would such a thing heat the oil as well? The last time I was around MN, it was pretty common to see a pigtail poking out of grilles. No idea if they came stock or aftermarket.

Nov 23, 2016 | 03:20 PM

Beechkid

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From: Southern California

great idea!!!!! ^^^^^^

Nov 23, 2016 | 03:43 PM

Daveycracky

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From: Mukilteo WA

Block heaters are standard equipment on marine diesels in AK, and particularly useful when the boat is parked in say Dutch Harbor over Christmas break or something. The ones we use do have a heating puck that sits in the oil pan, and maintains the oil at just under 100 degrees, though we also use space heaters to keep the whole engine room from freezing. An outside truck is a different animal, but it might make the difference to get oil flowing in those first few critical moments.

Nov 23, 2016 | 11:14 PM

wtroger

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The space heater will help. A heat lamp pointed at the oil pan sump will really help. Make sure that you use a break in oil. Or add a zddp additive to your regular oil. The whole 2000 rpm break in routine is about getting the cam Lobes and lifter bases coated and hardened with the zinc. Flat tapet engines have got to have zinc.