Running in a new vauxhall engine....

[jon1]

I've searched for the above topic but the search engine seems to be down again so i was wondering if any of you guys could help me out!

 

To cut a very long story short i have been extremely fortunate to acquire a 2 ltr vauxhall HPC on carbs with a GENIUNE 500 miles on the clock. How many miles till the engine is run in and what should i limit the revs to untill that time?

 

Thanks a lot.

[Laurence Wilson]

Did your search include the word in? Try without 😬

 

Can't help with you original query, I'm afraid.

 

Peardrop

[jon1]

Peardrop: I have just tried that and couldn't find anything on this specific querie.

 

So.... any help would be much appreciated guys!

 

thanks!

[Alex Wong1697456877]

If it were mine, I'd just drive it as I pleased. I'm not sure how critical the running in process is for a (relatively) modern engine. I was once told if you want max power, you drive it hard from day one. If you want long life, you run it in slowly. These engines are designed to do well over 100,000 miles so I guess longevity isn't an issue for most 7 owners.

 

Of course, this all changes if you modify the engine and run it much harder than was originally intended (ie racing/trackdays). Engine damage is much more likely, but I have never heard anyone say their engine failed because it wasn't run in properly.

 

Edited by - Alex Wong on 29 Sep 2003 10:28:06

[Nick Pargiter]

After a complete engine rebuild over the winter in a friends car we used a running in oil for about 50 miles then changed to a basic mineral oil from Halfrauds. This was used for about 1000 miles keeping the revs below 4000 ish. After that the oil was changed to what we will use from now on. Don't use synthetic to start with as it doesn't let things bed in properly.

 

Nick

 

Mellow Yellow Vauxhall - I don't think so!!! 😬 😬

[jon1]

thanks for the above guys but as i mentioned earlier, the car has already done 500 miles so i am hioping that running in oil etc was used before a change. I will go by the benchmark 1000 miles before opening her up properly.

 

but, if anyone else has any input please contribute!!

[tcrawford]

Mark,

 

You will find a lot of differing opinions on the subject of running in and

i really don't think there is a perfect way that everybody should follow.

 

All my engines are run in on a dyno so are ready for use when installed.

The running in method for a 350-chevy[standard-trim] is as follows;

Get up to 30mph in top gear then go flat out up to 50mph now back

off the loud pedal back down to 30mph again, repeat this process 12

times.

 

Now you can drive normally without speed restictions but avoiding

sustained full throttle operation i.e. track days .

 

Being overly carefull with a new engine especially tuned ones can have

a more detramental effect than going for it staight of.

The main point is carefull checking of temperatures when running in

as heat is the real killer.

I would like other engineers views on this as well.

 

So to answer your question if you dont know what oil you have in it

renew it + filter and go out and have some fun but perhaps not to

aggresively.

 

Good luck,

Terry.

 

[EFA]

What exactly does a 350 Chevvy and a VX have in common apart from weight.

 

Alex is correct, hard use on an engine from day 1 improves ring seal which in turn improves power, all at the expense of wear.

 

My own running in strategy is on cheap organic oil <4000rpm for the first 10 miles, <6000rpm for the next 100 then change to 15/50 and run to max rpm. Watch oil and water temps closely throughout.

 

Fat Arn

Visit the K2 RUM website

See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website here

 

[tcrawford]

Everybody,

is this the start of a new debate? [whats in common between

a chevy & a vx] Well for those of you without any grey-matter its an

engine!! and as such has a running in program like any other engine.

 

This was an example of how they do it not how I would.

All the differing manafacturers out there have an opinion on how its

done, who is right?

 

Motorcycles are a good example, my old suzuki required a 2 step rev

limit @ set mileage , whilst my last honda just said; quote- pay extra

attention to how you ride during the first 300 miles. During this period, avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration. close quote.

 

AMMO at raceco might come in here and describe running in a Moto-

Guzzi, i have heard they need a few thousand miles before they settle

in, is this true?

 

The point is there is no correct set piece for running in, also all the

engine tuners out there use different routes to achieve the same goal

so there are bound to be several opinions, who is right?

 

Just before i sign off, you guys spend thousands of pounds on your

engines so please don't use a CHEAP oil as lubrication is important at

ALL times.[common sense really isn't it ]

 

You all get typing now,

Terry.

 

 

[Smokin Joe]

😬 Chevrolet is a division of GM (General Motors) strangely enough Vauxhall is the Uk division of Chevrolet, well well! 😬

 

Joe