Breaking in the Engine

[Warren]

Why is this man sat giggling madly in a cload of smoke.....the engine has taken its first unaided revolutions, started first time.

I turned it off straight away and sat with a stupid grin on my face for the rest of the night.

Reason I turned it off straight away was that I seem to remember something about breaking in a crank. Rev to 2,750 and leave it there for 15 minutes.

Can anyone give me a clue. I thought I had read it in one of the books but can't find it.

Cheers
Warren

[TINKA]

Hi Warren, yes you do need to break in the cam.x( x( Start the engine and run it at between 2,000rpm & 2,500rpm for between 20-30minutes. don't just let it rev at the same rpm though you need to vary the revs all the time }( }( }( }( and just enjoy the lovely sound.{-} {-} {-} {-}
Martin :tu :tu :tu :tu

[Warren]

This really isn't going well. I am taking your advice Tinka but I cannot get the engine to remain running.

I ran it for about 5 mins, the revs were all over the place then all of a sudden it sort of cleared its throat and revved to about 4,000 before it would start coming back down. Then it started to be erratic again. Everything was getting very hot and I was worried about overheating so I brought the fan in early.

The engine seemed to rise in revs again then cut out. I thought, "#### and F*^&(*&(*&()^^&%$£$"£$£"$!(_(_+)_£_)"*^^%$%^$£!!!! " I have seized it.

Standing back, I realised the petrol can was empty, "Galllon in 5 mins!!!!!!!", the battery was almost totally flat so it could have been lack of power.

I have lost any remaining hair and daren't start it again.......

The set up is not ideal, everything is wired in temporary and I haven't yet connected the alternator due to uncertainty, See other thread. I am worried stiff that I am going to knacker it before I get any further. Twisting the distibutor didn't seem to make it run any smoother and the plugs seem very sooty.

Has any one else managed to screw things up to the same extent but still managed to come out the other end without a knackered cam, seized engine, etc. On a bright note the Oil pressure was about 90ftlb, this must be good.............isn't it??

Reassurance and wig required.

Warren

[kirklillis]

Warren,

You must not run an alternator without it being connected to the battery, etc. This will surely knacker it.

Connect everything properly and then have another go.

Kirk

[Purple AK]

Hi Warren.
Initial lumpy running was prabably due to the lifters, which can take a while to get "pumped up" in a new engine. As Kirk says get the alternator connected up and have another go. 5 mins a gallon? not bad! I must have run round the petrol station at least 4 times the first time I fired mine up. (Grinning all the way)
Good Luck :tu

[simon]

Warren, check the leads are in the right order AGAIN.
I put mine on, checked them a second time, started the car only to have a lumpy idle. I checked the leads for the third time, saying it out loud to myself so I got it right, and it was fine.

[Warren]

Thanks guys

I gritted my teeth, bit the bullet and ran it for 40 mins, guestimated the revs and revved it from time to time. Everything seems OK, I guess if I have dropped a lobe then it would have been really rough.

Bloody noisy though, the garage door is black bright as its running really rich.

Oh, the bedding was in the tumble dryer at the time........you should have seen the wifes' face. It looked like a team of coalminers had been kipping on it.

Cheers
Warren