Over the past 2 years, I have built my first hot rod. It is a 73 scamp. I took a bare 440 block, had it checked and machined, meticulously made it a 512 stroker with a kit from 440source, 240 trickflow heads, tti headers. I have about 2 hours on the run stand. Then I installed it into the car and put in a holley super sniper EFI. I also rebuilt the transmission, 727 with a transgo tf2 valve body kit. My first trans build. Tomorrow, I will get the base timing and tuning of the EFI. Provided that the trans and tuning goes ok, how much break in is needed before really launching it and taking it down the strip. I ask because my son, the speed demon, just told me that the track opens up Sunday. This is not class racing, just street cars. Three days from now. By nature, I would drive this for a month or so before testing it. Thoughts????
A little nervous!
- Thread starter Kent mosby
- Start date
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I wouldnt go beating on it right away. Get some street time on it and work out the bugs.
j par
Well-hung Member
5 years ago when I built the Stroker motor for my duster I think I had about fifty miles on it maybe LOL before I took it to the track and started drag racing it. It's been doing fine for the Last 5 years..
I say if you built a daily driver than daily drive, it if you build a race car race it..
I say if you built a daily driver than daily drive, it if you build a race car race it..
I agree with Mike. The track will be open other weekends I am sure. I would fight the urge to get it out that quickly without some street time.
I built stuff, broke it in making sure nothing was leaking, etc. Sprayed the street down and did normal burnouts and launches. Break in time/miles... What's that???? Straight to the track/testing or street races.
If it was on a dyno, do they baby it or run it hard? Think about that for a minute. Machine work is much more accurate than 40 years ago and the 500 mile BS thing.
If it steer and stops fine, run it hard and let the sniper self tune.
If it was on a dyno, do they baby it or run it hard? Think about that for a minute. Machine work is much more accurate than 40 years ago and the 500 mile BS thing.
If it steer and stops fine, run it hard and let the sniper self tune.
Wow, 2 hours on the run stand, i had mine on for only 30 minutes just to break the cam, i then broke the run stand down because i knew I'd be tempted to go start it every five minutes, i plan to run the engine in with street time with some load on it.
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73smallblock
Well-Known Member
Normally engine builders just break them in on the Dyno and then it's go time. All I do is break the cam in, which you already did, then just heat cycle them a few more times, then go have fun.
If it were me, I'd go out and stand on it as hard as I could........you've got 2 hours on the run in stand, that is a no load situation, you want/need load to seat rings properly. It did prove no leaks, funny noises. Being hesitant to stand on it says you have doubts about your/others work; it's right or it's not, being easy on it to start doesn't prove a thing.
Others may agree/disagree
Blind Squirrel
Well-Known Member
The old rule I live by is... Break them in the way your going to drive it. Has never failed me yet and I am very hard on equipment (supposedly).
Personally don't think the wife knows what the hell she's talking about.
Personally don't think the wife knows what the hell she's talking about.
j par
Well-hung Member
Wait a minute isn't she the one who does the Big smoke show burn offs?..
j par
Well-hung Member
No I agree with this that's why I said I put 50 miles on it before I took it to the track just to drive it out on the freeway and make sure everything was checking out fine and feeling safe... I didn't put 500 miles on it at medium speed and all that kind of crazy stuff. Just make sure it was safe...
Yes, everything is untested. The rearend including perch angles but not the differential. The transmission was completely rebuilt. The front suspension is all new. Of course the motor is untested.
I will get the tune started this morning and drive it today and tomorrow under differing conditions. If all goes well, then..... maybe I will just go to the track and do some practice runs. Not necessarily hard launch. Line lock is not hooked up yet. Thank you for all the guidance, wisdom and expertise.
I will get the tune started this morning and drive it today and tomorrow under differing conditions. If all goes well, then..... maybe I will just go to the track and do some practice runs. Not necessarily hard launch. Line lock is not hooked up yet. Thank you for all the guidance, wisdom and expertise.
If it steer and stops OK, go drive it. The car will tell you right away if something is amiss. Get off the throttle and find the issue.
383Scampman
Well-Known Member
20 minutes @ 2200 rpm to break in the cam . another 20 minutes @ various rpm's to seat the rings . If you pre-oiled it . change oil . hot and cold cycle the motor a few times , tranny too . cool down to dead cold . check for leaks . check EVERY nut and bolt under the car . put a dob of paint on the ones checked (Or colored marker) torque everything . check safety articles (belts,helmet) go to track . first run @ 4500 rpm , second @ 5000and see how it feels . 5,000 rpm for couple more . 5500-5800 let her eat . Have fun , good luck !
justinp61
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I'd drive it to make sure everything was in order. When I get it home I'd go over everything and make sure there are no leaks and everything is tight. Then I'd beat the pi$$ out of it.
My 434 was brand new, never ran when started on the dyno. We set the base timing, warmed it up, then checked the valve lash. After cooling it down the dyno operator started it, looked at me and asked if I was ready, then straight to 7500. I almost lost my breakfast. LOL
My 434 was brand new, never ran when started on the dyno. We set the base timing, warmed it up, then checked the valve lash. After cooling it down the dyno operator started it, looked at me and asked if I was ready, then straight to 7500. I almost lost my breakfast. LOL
Run it hard, as long as nothing is leaking.
I always need some time driving down the back roads in cas something falls off I forget to tighten!! Why back roads, so no one knows!!!
I'd get a little seat time, a couple cruises over to Spokane, maybe get off the freeway and lope through town.
If somethings going to go wrong it will in traffic. lol
Have you ever made a pass at the track ?
If somethings going to go wrong it will in traffic. lol
Have you ever made a pass at the track ?
Like everyone else above.
Verify all is working properly, kick down is set right, works right. Do a rolling start(don't think that 512 is going too hook on the street). keep it in drive and whack the throttle, when and if it shifts into 2nt, lift and pull over to the side of the road.
Us all your senses aka is there a coolant smell, oil........just paint burning off of the motor or headers........
Still leaving it in drive (D) and from a roll Stomp on it until it shifts into high gear...........pull over again, Verify!
Now just have fun marking the road with your tires all the rest of the way back home.
First run at the track, just set there, until the car beside you has made it halfway down the track.(If it's a loud car, you want him gone before you leave) Feather the launch so it dont spin and run it down the track in (D)
next run, same thing only you shift it........again and again adding 3-500 rpm more until you mph drops
By this time, either you have shook down a problem big enough that your need to get it home to fix or your "drive train" has been tested.
NOW YOU HAVE A HOT ROD!!!!
Verify all is working properly, kick down is set right, works right. Do a rolling start(don't think that 512 is going too hook on the street). keep it in drive and whack the throttle, when and if it shifts into 2nt, lift and pull over to the side of the road.
Us all your senses aka is there a coolant smell, oil........just paint burning off of the motor or headers........
Still leaving it in drive (D) and from a roll Stomp on it until it shifts into high gear...........pull over again, Verify!
Now just have fun marking the road with your tires all the rest of the way back home.
First run at the track, just set there, until the car beside you has made it halfway down the track.(If it's a loud car, you want him gone before you leave) Feather the launch so it dont spin and run it down the track in (D)
next run, same thing only you shift it........again and again adding 3-500 rpm more until you mph drops
By this time, either you have shook down a problem big enough that your need to get it home to fix or your "drive train" has been tested.
NOW YOU HAVE A HOT ROD!!!!
SLOPAR72
Well-Known Member
Put it to the test. If you have problems they are already there. Drain the oil, cut the filter open, do whatever you think is necessary for standard maintenance. Rings been seats and you will be fine.
You've put the work in so go enjoy your efforts....
John Weaver
You've put the work in so go enjoy your efforts....
John Weaver
I have made a few passes down the track in my Silverado during Friday night fun nights.
512Stroker
We are all here because we are not all there.
The biggest problem with the 512 stroker that I had was trying to keep it cool on the street.
Low rpm cruz'n was a *****, stop and go traffic was not going to happen.
Through much rengineering I finely got it to cool in all conditions.
Big CID engines need big over kill cooling for the street.
I was setting the base tune on the efi and it was idling for about 10 minutes in the shop. It got to 207 and stayed there. On the 2 mile trip to the dmv at no more than 35 mph it cooled off to 193 and stayed there. It is a cool 60-65 degrees outside. We Will see about what happens when the weather warms up.
furrystump
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You are going to run a different animal than your truck and for that reason only I would want you to get used to the car and power it has before you go all in.
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