01-04-2013, 12:47 PM | #1 |
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Last minute advice
Hey everyone. Tomorrow is the big day as im going to break in my 350 that I completely rebuilt. Its a stock 4 bolt main stock bore 350. Summit k1103 cam, new lifters, rs racing gear drive, performer intake, ported heads, super comp headers, flamethrower hei ignition, q jet carb. going to be using valavoline vr1 racing oil for break in.
My steps for break in. valves have already been adjusted. Build oil pressure by turning crank drive gear Install distributor Fill bowl with gas Fire it up and adjust timing quickly Bring to 2000 rpms and flucuate from around 2000 to 2500 for 25 mimutes Monitor oil pressure and water temp while running Turn engine off, enjoy the moment and have a beer! Any other pointers? Posted via Mobile Device |
01-04-2013, 01:54 PM | #2 | |
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Re: Last minute advice
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Seriously, it sounds like you got it nailed. I've done three that way now and all are still up and running. 1989, 2004, and 2010. Maybe one thing. I like to leave the radiator cap off and "burp" it while I'm breaking it in.
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01-04-2013, 02:05 PM | #3 |
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Re: Last minute advice
I was gonna ask, do I need to run a thermostat? I put the housing on and remembered I forgot the thermo. No big deal I can take it off but do I need to? Also, with the valvoline vr1, do I need to run a cam break in additive since it already has sufficient levels of zinc in it?
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01-04-2013, 02:16 PM | #4 |
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Re: Last minute advice
Keep a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher nearby. You never know... not to be pessimistic, just safe!
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01-04-2013, 03:38 PM | #5 |
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Re: Last minute advice
Turn the crank drive gear?
I know you can use a drill and a distributor shaft to turn the oil pump directly that way you are not rotating the crank/piston assembly. |
01-04-2013, 03:43 PM | #6 |
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Re: Last minute advice
Oh sorry quick60, yes I will br turning the oil pump with my drill to build oil pressure. Anyone know about cam additive while using vr1 oil? Thermostat installed or not?
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01-04-2013, 04:41 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Last minute advice
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As you're holding the 2k RPM, a tweak to-and-fro of the distributor will smooth it out noticeably one way or the other. You'll likely have to adjust your engine speed down a bit once it smooths out and you've found the sweet spot. Also, myself, as soon as cam break in in complete, I dump the oil and filter for fresh stuff. |
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01-04-2013, 05:02 PM | #8 |
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Re: Last minute advice
That sounds like a good idea. I was worried about starting it and letting it idle for a minute setting the timing. Your way sounds much better and safer for the engine
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01-05-2013, 08:47 AM | #9 |
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Re: Last minute advice
Have a house fan in front of rad incase it tends to over heat during break in. Also, some hearing protection. An engine running at 2k is quite loud even outdoors.
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01-05-2013, 09:23 AM | #10 | |
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Re: Last minute advice
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id save the good oil for after you dump the "break in oil".. always add extra break in oil/additives, especially on new cam install. bringin up the RPMs is great, looks like you have everything worked out well. X2 on the cooling fan in front of the radiator. finally if you have any type of coated headers id pull them off for the initial cam break in. why? your headers will get red hot and it discolors and or kills that nice shiny silver coating.. |
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01-05-2013, 10:21 AM | #11 |
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Re: Last minute advice
I suggest reading thru the cams break in instructions.They should be about what you're planning but you can never be too sure.
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01-05-2013, 11:27 AM | #12 |
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Re: Last minute advice
As others have said always run a break in additive when breaking in a new cam. As far as the thermostat goes you can break it in without one and it won't hurt anything may even help it stay a little cooler while breaking in , just make sure you put one in after its broke in for driving purposes. Dan.
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01-05-2013, 05:41 PM | #13 |
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Re: Last minute advice
Okay everyone, I fired the beast this morning. It was popping out of the exhaust a carb a little too much so I was forced to shut it down. Rechecked timing, and adjusted and this time it started and ran smooth. I fluctuated rpms from 1800 to 2300 for about 7 minutes and noticed a burning smell. Right thru a plug wire. So I had to shut down for a few minutes. I put another wire on, fired back up and ran it for another 15 minutes. temp got t0 220 with a fan blowing to the radiator. I had a strange oil leak coming from passenger side front of engine. There are two threaded holes to the right of the timing cover, across from harmonic balancer. Oil was leaking from that hole, more when I gave it a lot of gas. So, while running, my oil pressure started at 40 psi and by the time engime was about20 minutes in and 220 degrees , it was 30 psi at 2000 rpms. Im sure it should have been higher but I lost pressure from that threaded hole, not sure what its for? Other than that, engine and gear drive sounded great.
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01-05-2013, 05:44 PM | #14 |
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Re: Last minute advice
Put a 3/8-16 by 3/4 inch long bolt in that hole. It's supposed to be plugged by a bolt to keep from leaking oil.
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01-09-2013, 09:08 AM | #15 | |
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Re: Last minute advice
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thats the hole you can use to hold the fuel pump rod up when changing fuel pumps. after you ran it, did you shut it off and do anything else? just curious to how the new motor is doing now |
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01-09-2013, 09:16 AM | #16 |
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Re: Last minute advice
Your oil pressure is fine. It is always higher on a cold engine and comes down a little as the engine warms up.
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