Thread: break in on chevy 350

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Mine puffed a little smoke too for a little while after initially starting it. In fact, on the trip to Daytona I used about a quart of oil. Now that seems to have stopped. It takes a while to seat the rings it seems.

Since you and I have roller cams we don't have to do the traditional 2500 rpm breakin for 1/2 hour, but you will want to vary the speeds while driving for a while. Drive at like 45 for a little while, then drop to 35, then go up to 50, etc. Not sure what this does exactly, but it is the procedure every marine engine manufacturer recommends for new inboard boat motors, and I have also heard that is recommended for fresh car engines too.

BTW, you aren't running synthetic oil yet, are you? Also, one of our engine experts may say otherwise, but I think you are a little overcarbed. All this is assuming of course that something goofy like breaking a ring on installation or something otherwise wrong is not the culprit.

Don

To seat the rings you want to put some load with it. My ZZ502 manual says to do 4-5 half throttle runs from 30 to 60 letting off in gear each time back down to 30 and repeat using 3/4 throttle. Then drive normally for 500 miles, this establishes the proper wear patterns.

Kitz

no synthetic. used sae 30 for the 50 miles then changed oil and went with 10w 30. thanks for all of your help ill just continue to drive it and im sure over time it will be fine. The 104 im running at 5.50 a gallon kind hurts the checkbook tho. The carb is a little bigger than i need i think except for under full throttle I've heard its ok, I need like a 750 i think, but cant spend the money for another new carb just yet.