Newbie Rebuilt Engine Advice

[dapperg]

I just did a rebuild on the engine of my 72' C10 and I'm going by the shop tomorrow to look at everything and get the run down of the specs.

I have a 350 V8 4 bolt main and when I got it, it needed repair badly(wouldn't hold oil, all kinds of metal in it). From what my guy said, they did a 30 over on it, new valves, springs, cam, etc. I just got a picture of it (attached), he just painted it yesterday and will be putting it in today and tomorrow.

My question is do you guys have any advice on how to treat it well and ensure the life of it? Breaking it in, do's or don'ts? Should I drive it like a grandma for a couple hundred miles?

Any suggestions or info from some vets would be awesome!

[TBONE1964]

The most important thing is to make sure the cam is broke in properly which takes place for the first 15 - 20 minutes of initial run time. The engine after it is fired needs to run at high RPM ( follow cam manufactures recomendations for this).


After that, change the oil and then change the oil again at 500 miles. I would not go doing burn outs at every light but there is no need to baby it either. If it is built correctly, it will last a long time.

[68gmsee]

^ Good advice above. After the cam break in, I usually drive gingerly for a couple of hundred miles (no jackrabbit starts or excessive speeds) and vary the speed while I'm driving so I don't run at constant rpms for any prolonged length of time.

[54belair]

Try to get it timed as best you can prior to start up--if necessary, do a slight distributor move after start up, keep an eye on oil pressure and water temp ( I wouldnt rely on idiot lights) and let it run for 15-20 minutes at about 2000 rpm (check your cam mfger recomendation). After the initial run in, let her cool down, change oil, do your final tuning-----and enjoy!!

[Coley]

BIG Ditto on the break-in info listed above. Most rpm recommendations come in at/around 2000-2500 rpm.
There are a few more things I would recommend, as follows:
First and importantly: Get a good friend to help you...and ask him (or her) to be really patient with you during the first 20 minutes of start up. Then you can them a beer!!...ok, read on:
-Get a drill and the correct tool 'oil pump priming' extension to go down inside where the distributor normally mounts. Also get a simple/basic oil pressure gauge. Attach the gauge to the back top/port on the block to read oil pressure. With the distributor removed, use the drill to run up the oil manually through to where you not only see the oil pressure gauge come up but you should see oil start arriving up at the top of the heads/rockers area.
Also, be heavily prepared for starting the motor up. You don't want to have to shut it down 3 minutes in because you think its running hot or its leaking fuel or some other unneeded detail was left off or not seen to prior to start-up....ie: exhaust leaks, smokey area....yada, yada. GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!
Get a fan to run in front of the radiator to keep the temperature down. Get a temperature 'gun' as a back-up and take the odd reading off the engine block and heads.
Expect it to 'smoke' a bit while its burning off some of that new exhaust paint or assembly oil....don't panic.
Watch the temperature, watch the oil pressure, keep the rpm's...NO idling until you've done a full 20 minutes....IMHO.
Don't keep cranking the motor if it doesn't start quickly on first try. STOP, check the timing...double check the timing. Prime the carb slightly and go again.
Ok...thats maybe a little too much info, but hey..I'm a fast typer
Good luck
Coley

[SS Tim]

If I'm reading this right it is at a shop and unless he about lives there, cam break in is out of his hands. All good advice including the oil changes though.

[TBONE1964]

That's what I gather also Tim and hopefully the shop that is doing the work is well aware of how to prepare this engine/installation for there customer properly. I would hope that a reputable shop knows that the cam should be broke in upon start up. It is always a good idea to follow the cam manufactures instructions no matter who is doing the work. Different cam man's have different requirements for cam break in. They are similar but not always the same.

I would also want to know who is going to cover damages, if there is a failure.

[jjzepplin]

Have the builder break the cam in for you. That will eliminate your potential cam failure and you won't have to worry about it.

[dapperg]

You guys are awesome, I appreciate it! I should be driving her home today so, i'll throw up some more pics soon as I can.