The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop engine breakin

The 235 in my 1960 1/2 ton stepside has been rebuilt. Rebuilding included boring .030 with new pistons and rings. I have had it running for a couple of months,but it has not been driven more than a couple of blocks..I would guess that the total engine run time moving it in and out of the garage,etc, is no more than one hour. I would have driven it some but have not yet had it registered or inspected.
My concern has to do with the seating of the piston rings. I see a little blue smoke from the exhaust. I have held the engine at a constant speed,perhaps 2000 rpm, for a minute or so. When released to an idle,there is a puff of blue smoke from the exhaust . The engine otherwise runs great and sounds good. The oil pressure runs in the area of 40 to 45 psi. I would to know your thoughts on the matter, and perhaps your experiences it this area.
meansam

Sam, I would get it ready & on the road. Give it a couple, maybe 5,000 mi. & then see how it's doing. My guess is it'll turn out just fine. Long as you keep it from overheating & have good oil press., it's near impossible to hurt a motor.
Working in a engine rebuilding shop yrs. ago we'd tell the customers to bring it back after 500 mi.& we'd change the oil & filter for free. One guy picked his car up right at 6PM Fri. closing time, paid with his payroll check, & was waiting for us to open the gate at 9AM the next (Sat.) AM. Had already put the 500 mi. on it-and then some.
These old motors are tough & don't need near as much babying as some believe nowdays.
Doug

Did you do a valve job too?

For break in I just drive them and vary the rpm's. No real loads or hot rodding. No sustained high rpms.

I also don't let mine idle too slow for the first 500 to 1000 miles. Change the oil and filter after the first 500 miles.

Look here:

http://www.hastingsmfg.com/ServiceTips/breakin_procedure.htm