While re-reading Ray Miller's early 70s "Thunderbird" book recently, I came across some notes re: engine rebuilding where he explains the practice (with oil galleries under pressure/no spark plugs). This brings up again the unresolved question (from recent head gasket sealer thread) about engine temp during break-in?



Since not everyone has access to this kind of equipment, the point might be moot. But, I have to wonder if this method has fallen out of favor over the years as it is never seems to be mentioned?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

The first engine building shop I worked for some 26 years ago had a "Run-in" stand and every shortblock and longblock was set up on this thing, oil lines run, driveshaft hooked to the crank flange and then spun at about 250 rpm for a minute or so. This was to seat everything. Problem was #1 they used the same oil for every engine and it just went to a big sump under the stand, who knows what debree was gathering there. #2 after running for a minute all the heavy assembly lube would be washed out of the engine, I don't think this would be good with initial start of each engine days, weeks, or even months in the future.

I am of the opinion that an engine that has been assembled with a good assembly lube and has the oilpump and filter primed before lighting the fire to it is the best way to go.

My two cents.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

I recall reading that GM was running their engines on natural gas for an initial start - seemed reasonable practice for mass production of a complete engine.....Ford....dunno

Would a (huge) re-builder like Jasper power a short block with an electric motor? Given the choice I think I would be prone to immerse the sucker in circulated filtered oil!!!!!

I once read an article about a well known pro-stock builder that was using an externally oil pressurized, electric motor driven "dummy" engine assembly to operate the valve train at various speeds. This was done while using a strobe to carefully examine behavior of the valvetrain. My guess is that there are more than a few NASCAR shops that have done this too.   

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve:

Have you seen the picture of Karol Miller powering his camshaft with a Briggs and Stratton and watching the valve action with a strobe light?  This was in 1957.  Only took the techies 50 years to catch up with Karol.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"