engine break-in
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
engine break-in
last year I rebuilt my 300 engine. I had it bored .030 over and the crank turned .010. since then the engine runs good but burns oil BAD. I will have to put 1/2 a quart or better in every 500 miles or so. and it is building up on my plugs. I had the head rebuilt also. I am thinking that maybe the rings didn't seat properly. I am debating taking it out this summer and redoing it. I was wondering what is the proper, or best way, to break in a newly rebuilt engine?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 140
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From: CT USA
engine break-in
i bet you put moly rings in. these will cause you to loose some oil for quite a while. Im not sure how much oil is acceptible but half a quart isnt that bad. If it really worries you that much that you pull the motor apart again i suggest you might want to put in some regular rings. these seat much eaisier and wont suck up the oil.
I always heard for break in use a good petrolium oil and run the engine at about 2000 rpm for about 15 minutes while monotoring the oil pressure and water temp. then shut it off and change the oil and filter and you should be good to go. Im sure everyone has their own way of breaking in a new motor but thats how i was taught
I always heard for break in use a good petrolium oil and run the engine at about 2000 rpm for about 15 minutes while monotoring the oil pressure and water temp. then shut it off and change the oil and filter and you should be good to go. Im sure everyone has their own way of breaking in a new motor but thats how i was taught
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
engine break-in
As was previously stated, your rings haven't seated,
probably from miscommunication with your machinist.
If you used moly coated rings with a cast iron ring
hone, it'll take forever to seat the rings...
There is quite a controversy going on in the auto
machinist industry about how smooth a hone job should
be for which type of rings, but it seems that "moly"
rings need a much smoother honing than previously
beleived, as in 600 grit stones...
Steve & the Rockette
'63 F100
'68 F100
'72 Capri 2L
'73 Capri 2.6L V6
'73 MG B GT 2.6L V6(Ford)
'98 Contour SVT 2.5L V6 (Mods)
'01 ZX2 (No Mods yet)
probably from miscommunication with your machinist.
If you used moly coated rings with a cast iron ring
hone, it'll take forever to seat the rings...
There is quite a controversy going on in the auto
machinist industry about how smooth a hone job should
be for which type of rings, but it seems that "moly"
rings need a much smoother honing than previously
beleived, as in 600 grit stones...
Steve & the Rockette
'63 F100
'68 F100
'72 Capri 2L
'73 Capri 2.6L V6
'73 MG B GT 2.6L V6(Ford)
'98 Contour SVT 2.5L V6 (Mods)
'01 ZX2 (No Mods yet)
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
engine break-in
For break in, use type F tranny fluid on the rings and cylinder walls. Use it to clean the cylinder walls prior to assembly also. Do not use oil. Something else to try is let the oil level get low and watch it carefully. Every Ford I have ever had likes to run almost a quart low. It will get there quickly and then stay there.
