351W New Engine Questions
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 342
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From: Gainesville, Georgia
351W New Engine Questions
OK, so I just fired up my freashly rebuilt engine and all seems to be working properly. Prior to initial start up I set the pre-startup timing to 10* BTDC. After checking and double checking everything else I was ready to fire it off. It started right up with no problems and sounds like a dream. Good oil pressure, fuel pressure, etc. I did have a few small things to take care of after start up like a fuel leak, antifreeze leak, etc. All taken care of by tightening connections here or there.
Now that it runs do I need to fine tune my timing? If so what should the timing be set to, now that it is running? How do I need to break in the engine?
Thanks guys.
Now that it runs do I need to fine tune my timing? If so what should the timing be set to, now that it is running? How do I need to break in the engine?
Thanks guys.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Is it a pretty much stock rebuild? Did you put a new cam in it? If the answer is yes to #1 and no to #2 then you're probably set about right on the timing. To break it in, use REGULAR oil for the first 500 to 1000 miles and vary your speed. Don't spend too much time at the same RPM.
My father never really saw the need for a "proper" break in on a street engine. He's rebuilt so many I trust him, he did the 351w in our '83 E350 and we had no problems.
My father never really saw the need for a "proper" break in on a street engine. He's rebuilt so many I trust him, he did the 351w in our '83 E350 and we had no problems.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 342
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From: Gainesville, Georgia
Sorry about that. Here are the engine specs:
351W bored .30 over
Mild Cam
Edlebrock Air Gap Intake
Holley 670 Street Avenger
BBK Headers
MSD ignition, coil and distributor
Everything else is basically stock.
351W bored .30 over
Mild Cam
Edlebrock Air Gap Intake
Holley 670 Street Avenger
BBK Headers
MSD ignition, coil and distributor
Everything else is basically stock.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 184
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From: Va Beach
You should break in the cam if it's a flat tappet. Look at the cam card, it should say how to properly break it in. They've had a string of problems with flat tappets wiping lobes and such the last few years. When I broke my Comp in I had to run it at 2000 for about 20 minutes. Like pfogle said, stay away from synthetic oil for the first few thousand. After the cam break in get the timing set and change the oil and filter. Then change it again after the first 1000 miles. Go easy on it, you'll have plenty of time to beat it later.
