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Running in period for an R400 ???


RESOLVIWOLF

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None of the engines are actually run-in, regardless of whether they've been run on the dyno to confirm their power output.

 

That said, there's a difference of opinion as to whether a running-in period is necessary and whether you should use a lower grade oil during that time. I would search the archives for SLR running-in periods and oil and make your own mind up. The R400 engine is essentially the same as the SLR after all.

 

Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours

 

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Non of the road SLR`s that I have seen have been bench or dyno run. Running in periods seem to be a personal choice. I favour using a lower spec non synth oil for the first 100 miles say Comma Lite then 500 on part synth Comma Euroilite then onto fully synth to complete the 1000. Gradually increasing loads and revs as the miles increase.
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Seeing the c*** which has appeared in the oil of my R300 after only a few (stationary) runs, I'd put a reasonable-quality cheapish oil in for 500 miles- anything else will be wasted.

 

The results of a previous exhaustive search of the Blatchat archives suggesting doing that, changing it at 500 miles with the 'pukka' synthetic stuff, then doing that again at 1000 miles. Which sounded sensible to me. 😬

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Nig,

 

You may well have a sticker congratulations. however I find it hard to believe that they ran your engine, filled it with coolant and oil etc then drained out what they could after the Dyno run then left it corrode until it was installed. Why would they go to all that trouble and expense what would be the purpose, it is after all a fairly standard engine and its not even possible for them to tweek the mapping with the MEMS.

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Nig,

 

You may well have a sticker congratulations. however I find it hard to believe that they ran your engine, filled it with coolant and oil etc then drained out what they could after the Dyno run then left it corrode until it was installed. Why would they go to all that trouble and expense what would be the purpose, it is after all a fairly standard engine and its not even possible for them to tweek the mapping with the MEMS.

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I am pretty sure that R400's are run in at Minister before delivery, following which they are tested to ensure that maximum power is within the prescribed limits. They are, after all intended for use in R400 race cars, which is where most go to. Racers don't run them in - they expect to be able to race from the start.

 

The best way to get the answer to this is to speak to Graham Fuller at Minister who will tell you what they have done to your engine before you saw it, and what oil/running in recommendations they have.

 

I am sure they will say the engine doesn't need to be run in and that you should use the correct oil (Mobil 1 Motorsposrt 15W 50 I suspect) from day one, but don't forget that everything else on the car (gearbox, diff, driveshafts, brakes, etc) do need running in, so 500 miles gentle use is to be recommended.

 

 

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OK now i'm going to cause a war. I've been building engines since 1965 and my one rule is NEVER NEVER run them in its not a good idea I run all my engines on a mineral oil to promote bore sealing for 500 miles [synth is just too slippy] I bring the engine up to full working temp oil!!! and water!!!! and then thrash the crap out of it. Never blown one up yet. I rebuilt a Mk 1 Escort Twin Can o/night on the Mank Rally back in the 60s and My driver took it out the next morning and won the event on it, We warmed it up fully in the docks workshop at 3:00 Am and then revved it to the limiter sweet as a nut.

All this piddling about running engines in is a myth. They either work if you build them right or they don't. simple. *cool*

 

jj

N.I. L7C AO.

Membership No.3927.

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Hmm, forgive me for saying this JJ but you are confusing the issue a tad. Whilst you claim not to run the engine in, you do admit to using lower grade oil (mineral) for a short period. Some people may regard this as "running-in".

 

Personally, I do believe in gently bedding in bearings and cam faces for a short period, using an oil which will promote this. How long you do this for, and how gentle is open to much discussion.

 

Rob, you may think that the SLR VHPD engine to be fairly standard but Minster were quite proud of it at the time, and had to guarantee its output before shipping.

 

Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours

 

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Actually dear pudding belly I don't think I am The only reason to use a base 20/50 mineral is that Synth is too slippy tp promote adequate ring / bore sealing, It is criticall that rings seal on the bore wall and synth will not allow this to happen completly result blow past and oil burning However 500 miles on base oil at decent revs should bed everything in quickly. By running in I and I believe most folk presume low revs and slow increases over a period of miles to ever increasing loads.

It's not necessary on a modern engine, and indeed in the case of the bores will cause more damage than it saves. You will also remember never to let cams tick over when you fit new ones or new followers again causes aggrivated wear. Never mind hope you got the bangers in for Thurs nights tea i'll not have eaten since I left Killinchy at some god awfull hr in the dark morning. *thumbup*

 

jj

N.I. L7C AO.

Membership No.3927.

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Ah, but Mr Baldy, some people use the term "running-in" as one where you make an exception to what will become the norm. By running on cheapo oil as opposed to fully-synth to begin with may be termed as "running-in".

 

Anyway, I'm right. So there.

 

Menu for Hotel Marston

 

Thurs night = a take-away jobbie because different people are turning up all all sorts of times. We have Chinese, Indian, Italian and Greek/Indian chippy's in the area.

Friday morn = Marston Breaky

Friday night = Marston dinner. Dunno what yet, but it'll be in the format of Chile or somesuch. Don't worry, there'll be plenty to eat.

Sat morn = Depends on what time you get up... but there will be Break-stuff avail.

Sat evening = Autosport bowling, drinking and eating session.

Sun morn = Marston Breaky.

 

Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours

 

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