My new motor (rebuilt to stock 355 LT1, mild cam, 918 springs/pro-mag 1.6's) is a few weekends from being done. I used the search function and came up with a few interesting threads from a few years back on breaking a new motor in. Essentially, it looks like there are two philosophies;

A) drive it like you stole it right away

B) drive it hard up to 3k for a few miles, then take it 4K for another couple hundred miles, all while backing off and letting the rpms fall in gear, and after doing that for about 500 miles, then drive it like ya stole it.

also, on start up I read that you are supposed to bring the revs up to 3K or so for about 20 minutes to let everything break in. then, change the oil and see if everything looks good. if it does, then go ahead and drive it is that correct?

thanks for all the help, I want to do this right from the first time!

 

I've got 1,400 miles of absolute rape on my new motor.

Drive it like you stole it, right away. Ya want those rings to seat, not glaze the cylinders.

Just make sure everything is done right before you go out stomping on it. Stop frequently at first for cool down cycling, check for noises, etc.

Yes, do an oil change after your first startup and first few minutes of runtime while you are checking rockers, etc.

 

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...light=break-in

 

drive It Like Ya' Stole It

 

this is actually just needed for flat tappet lifters its not really needed for roller lifters

the bringing it to 2500 rpm or so is simply to spray enough oil on the cam to help break the lifters in which is not needed (as much) with the rollers

 

lmfao...never heard it said like that