Remanned engine break-in ??

[gtfireftr]

Installing 2 remanned engines.... So they will be on the hard for a while....
Is it ok to run them on the muffs to dial them in? I realize that it is better to break in under a load.
Not sure how long I can run on muffs prior to putting her in the water in the spring??
TIA

 

[Scott Danforth]

You can get the 20 minute cam break in on the hard, however you need load for the motor break in

 

[NHGuy]

And to add. Prime the oil pumps through the distributor drives. If they are flat tappet cams & lifters you should use a break in oil such as Joe Gibbs Driven. Might just use it anyway on the first go round, it helps roller engines a bit too.
If they are flat tappet this is the one time you don't warm up the engines. The moment they start go right to 2000 rpms plus or minus 250. Just vary it 1700 to 2300 or so for 20 or 30 minutes. The only reason to slow down is for overheating or lost oil pressure. If that happens shut it off, no idling or you can kill the cam & lifters.

I'd recommend getting some Hastings, Wix, Mobil 1 or Casite oil filters. Don't use those Fram or no names.. There are some other good oil filters out there, I just don't remember them all.

After the break in run a major brand oil that's 40 or 50 weight. Doesn't have to be straight weight, 10w40 ,15w40, 20w50, 25w50 are ok. Boats work hard. 30 weight gets thin when loaded up with heat.

Sorry to preach...stuff I have found out along the way.

 

[gtfireftr]

NH Guy.... Thanks for the good information.... no preaching for sure......
So I can do this cam break-in on the hard with muffs??
Thanks

 

[fishrdan]

Yes, you can do cam break-in on the muffs, on the hard. I shoot for 1500-2000RPM for 15-20 minutes, but the advice above is solid too.

Personal preference, but I change oil and filter after an hour or 2 of operation, bare minimum swap the filter and top off oil.

Not to turn this into an "oil thread", but Rotella has more zinc in it than other automotive oils, zinc needed to protect the cam. Though, over recent years they have been cutting back the zinc content just like automotive oils.

 

[G_Hipster]

X's 2 on the break in oil, and not the pour a can of zppd in on break in if it's a flat tappet. Brad Penn, Joe gibbs etc.

 

[79_banshee]

Sorry this has really nothing to do with the question at hand but why couldn't you use a fram filter? I thought it was a big brand name like mobile one or wix

 

[G_Hipster]

Sorry this has really nothing to do with the question at hand but why couldn't you use a fram filter? I thought it was a big brand name like mobile one or wix

Not to hi-jack, but there was some bad publicity on them a few years ago about the paper elements disintegrating or collapsing in them and lack of anti-drain back valves. Not what they used to be.

 

[Scott Danforth]

fram filters are cardboard end caps hot-glued to the paper element. get a Wix, Purolator, etc. Fram filters are the lowest quality filters out ther.

I also recommend rotella T for the zinc if your running flat tappet cams.

 

[gtfireftr]

Thanks guys for the input....