Engine Break In Procedure

First, once your engine is installed make sure to fill it with oil! We do not deliver or ship engines with oil, so you must fill your engine to the proper oil level. We require CONVENTIONAL (non synthetic) oil for the first several oil changes. We recommend Comp Cams 10W-30 Break In Oil, however any reputable 10W-30 break in oil will sufice. Fill and verify all other necessary fluids such as coolant, power steering fluid, transmission oil, etc.

This engine MUST be primed with oil before starting. You can achieve this with a preluber or by cranking the engine without firing the fuel pump. Prime the engine until it builds oil pressure. See the diagram for details on how to prime the engine with a preluber.

Start the engine and listen for any unusual noises. If no unusual noises are noted, run the engine at idle, which should run around 1000RPM depeding on your engine management and base tune until normal operating temperature is reached.

Once engine is at operating temperature, shut off. Allow to cool down to heat cycle the engine. Once cool, start the engine and run until operating temperature, and then shut down and cool down. Perform 3 total heat cycles, and then change the oil and filter. Replace with 10W-30 break in oil or conventional oil of your choice. Do NOT use synthetic at this time.

NOTE: You should ALWAYS allow the engine to warm up to 100°F or more prior to driving. It is essential to allow the oil and water temperature to reach 180°F before towing heavy loads or performance driving.

On the fresh oil change, the engine should be driven at varying loads and conditions for the first 30 miles or one hour without wide open throttle (WOT) or sustained high RPM accelerations. Then, run five or six medium throttle (50%) accelerations to about 4000 RPM and back to idle (0% throttle) in gear. Finally, run two or three hard throttle (WOT 100%) accelerations to about 4000 RPM and back to idle (0% throttle) in gear.

Change the oil and filter. Replace the oil and filter with 10W-30 conventional oil. Inspect the oil and the oil filter for any foreign particles to ensure that the engine is functioning properly.

Drive the next 500 miles (12 to 15 engine hours) under normal conditions. Do not run the engine at its maximum rated engine speed. Also, do not expose the engine to extended periods of high load. Your rings are still seating. After 500 miles, change the oil and filter with a final round of 10W-30 conventional oil. Again, inspect the oil and oil filter for any foreign particles to ensure that the engine is functioning properly. This oil change should last you until roughly 3000 miles total on the engine.

At 3000 total engine miles, perform your next oil change. For this oil change you can now switch to a synthetic oil. We recommend synthetic oils like Motul, Penzoil Ultra Platinum (only Ultra Platinum), or Amsoil. If those brands are not available, please feel free to contact us for other recommendations.

Perform regularly scheduled maintenance and oil changes every 3000 miles OR 6 months, whichever comes first.