Refurbished motor
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
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From: Whittier, CA
Probably something you should ask whoever refurbished that engine. Do they have a break-in procedure they ask you to follow?
I think new truck break-in procedures are more for the differential gears than they are about the engine. Even 25 years ago such as your truck that was true. You don't need to worry about that because your drive train is the same.
You did not say whether this is a 7.3 diesel, or 5.4 or 6.8 gasser.
I think new truck break-in procedures are more for the differential gears than they are about the engine. Even 25 years ago such as your truck that was true. You don't need to worry about that because your drive train is the same.
You did not say whether this is a 7.3 diesel, or 5.4 or 6.8 gasser.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
My husband said it’s a triton v10. Neither of us are car people and don’t really know much about cars.
in fact we really don’t know why are engine seized up, we are serious about regular maintenance and oil changes.
in fact we really don’t know why are engine seized up, we are serious about regular maintenance and oil changes.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
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They should also be passing along what the recommended break-in procedure is.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,856
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Larger transmission cooler and some upgrades to the transmission to handle the stress of towing.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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I'll 2nd the idea of driving it for 1000-ish miles before towing. Put it through some city and interstate scenarios to vet the engine and rest of the truck. Get it up to 4000 or so rpms a few times. Glance at the temperature gauge from time to time. Check all fluid levels a time or two and look underneath for any leaks. Consider an oil change after the 1000 miles.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
Best break in procedure for a new motor is to get it up to operating temperature and make sure everything is working as designed. Once that is done and you are comfortable that it is safe, then do two full throttle runs through second gear with a cool down period between (just to let things equalize)
seating the rings takes cylinder pressure. The quicker you can get cylinder pressure behind the rings to force them into the fresh bore to mate the two the better. Full throttle makes the most pressure.
sounds harsh to run a brand new engine that hard right out of the gate, but it really is the best way to seat the rings. A buddy and I just built a new engine for his old corvette. We did exactly this, except we did it on an engine dyno. 20 minutes at 2000 rpm to break in the cam, and then a couple full throttle runs to 5,000 rpm to seat the rings. Then start looking at the power numbers.
With that said, follow the advice of the engineer builder.
seating the rings takes cylinder pressure. The quicker you can get cylinder pressure behind the rings to force them into the fresh bore to mate the two the better. Full throttle makes the most pressure.
sounds harsh to run a brand new engine that hard right out of the gate, but it really is the best way to seat the rings. A buddy and I just built a new engine for his old corvette. We did exactly this, except we did it on an engine dyno. 20 minutes at 2000 rpm to break in the cam, and then a couple full throttle runs to 5,000 rpm to seat the rings. Then start looking at the power numbers.
With that said, follow the advice of the engineer builder.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
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Refurbished, or remanufactured? Huge difference, One is just cleaned up with external new parts like oil/water pumps, Remanufactured is new rings and bearings. A refurbished engine would have just been mic'd on the bearings and inspected for wear but not torn down.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,856
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With the millions of engines built every year, 99.9% of every engine are never broken in.
A well built engine will run great out of the box. Of course, follow the builders advice because they tend to blame the problem on the end user. If you tell them you read that some clown on the internet said don't worry about the break in, it will certainly cause issues with your warranty.
A well built engine will run great out of the box. Of course, follow the builders advice because they tend to blame the problem on the end user. If you tell them you read that some clown on the internet said don't worry about the break in, it will certainly cause issues with your warranty.
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