Opinions on trip with rebuilt engine

[vdb11]

Hey guys, I finally got my engine running, and the truck mobile (a VERY long, frustrating story, but for another thread, maybe when I get pictures up).

I used the original pistons in their original bores with new rings and what I think is a pretty good crosshatch hone in the cylinders. The cylinders were worn pretty bad though for a block with only 100k on it. I am in the process of breaking the motor in and I want your opinions on a trip.

As of now I have only driven the motor a mile or two, just on my lane here since the hood isn't on yet and I have a fuel leak to fix. However, the engine is running like a top, there is almost zero blowby that I can see. I used Hastings rings as well.

My gf wants to go to Hershey Park, and of course, wants to take my truck. The trip is about 2 and a half hours long from here. I have been reading some of the threads on how to seat rings and it seems to be constant change in rpms and load and acceleration, deceleration is the key. Now over the next couple days I plan to do some of this, but this trip has me worrying a bit. Now the way we will go is on US 322 for a large part of the trip, maybe an hour and a half, but some of it is mountain, and curves that require speed changes, not really a set the cruise and go road, plus I can always just drive spirited as well, which may annoy other drivers as they wonder what I'm doing We could also maybe stop somewhere halfway and eat or something to let the truck cool down for a bit before heating it back up. There will be some constant rpm periods though and I won't be able to avoid that, maybe I could add some weight for load (??).

What do you guys think?

 

[Chief915]

During the first 500 miles or so, the loading on the rings should be moderate and varying. This can be accomplished by varying speeds (no long-distance constant speeds (like cruise control down the interstate), especially full-throttle) and occasionally increasing the cylinder pressures by quick acceleration or 3/4-throttle uphill climbs. Stay away from idling for extended periods, redline rpms, or "fully loading" the engine for extended periods of time though.

I think your trip, as you described it, will be fine for break in purposes. Just make sure to put a few miles on it around the house before you take off on the trip. That will give you a chance to find/fix any leaks or other things that may have gotten overlooked or forgotten about during the rebuild and install. Doing those fixes at home sure beats finding it and trying to do something about it on the side of the road somewhere.

 

[Big T]

I think you should stop at every scenic vista and knock it out with the gf. Vary the rpms and the stroke. Kiss and go. Be careful as these session are when your engine is most prone to overheating. Based on the route you're taking the fluid levels should be fine.:hihi:

 

[JiFaire]

Fine advice, guys! (especially from BigT)

Seriously, sounds like you have done a good job on the engine, and this nice little drive might be just what it needs so you feel confident in it.

Mechanically, the best advice here is to drive it around home a bit before you leave, to find the little things that will make you crazy on the road. That sounds like the voice of hard-won experience... and it's something that all us oldies have forgotten to do at least once (and swore never to forget again!)

 

[Chief915]

I think you should stop at every scenic vista and knock it out with the gf. Vary the rpms and the stroke. Kiss and go. Be careful as these session are when your engine is most prone to overheating.

This could be interpreted in several different ways.....

Are you still talking about the truck engine and breaking it in after the rebuild, or are you giving advice on how to have a more fun/exciting vacation ?!?!? :rolleyes5:

I would like to add to Big T's advice if I may..... Keep an eye out for, and try to contain or prevent, any "fluid" leakage while you are doing this.... It can, and will, cause damage that won't be noticable until a few months down the road. :shocked:

I think this is my new favorite quote on TTS....

 

[buddy]

Most of the break in will be done in the first like 30 minutes or miles of the engine running. IMO, it takes a good amount of load to break them in right, and would do the 3/4 pedal kind of acceleration again and again before the trip. Babying one in doesnt make sense to me, although I can see how many people would see logic in taking it easy. Also of note is that if youre driving though hills, the road may vary your RPMs for you, as it is not constant vehicle speed youre worried about, its constant engine speed. Give it some spirited acceleration to break it in, and it will continue to wear in for a few thousand miles. Power and efficiency may improve over the first 3000 miles or so.

 

[vdb11]

Haha, you guys are hilarious I will definitely have to watch for leaks as I can't afford any big expenses say nine months down the road :hihi: then I will have to baby it along... Am I still talking about my truck?? :skep:

Anyways, I am definitely going to try to get a few miles on it before the trip. I put the hood on and took it out again tonight, so far I have 12 miles on the engine, and it seems to be running just fine.

On the trip I think I will just drive a little spirited, trying my best to vary speeds as often as possible. Buddy you are right a portion of the trip lends itself to changing speeds which helps.

So far no leaks except for an irritating fuel leak coming from the tee valve line, which I have tried fixing twice. Funny I have all this feed the beast pipe fittings and a tee plumbed into the FFM for a fuel pressure gauge and none of that leaks, just the stupid factory tee valve ha.

Thanks for the kind words jifaire! I will definitely have to get some pictures up to share. The block, heads, front cover and water pump are all red, and valve covers and accessories are black, with aluminum painted intake. Looking back I would have done more red. As I found out, once the motor is in the truck and all hooked up, you don't see much of the red!

Thanks again guys!!

 

[Big T]

Haha, you guys are hilarious I will definitely have to watch for leaks as I can't afford any big expenses say nine months down the road :hihi: then I will have to baby it along... Am I still talking about my truck?? :skep:

Anyways, I am definitely going to try to get a few miles on it before the trip. I put the hood on and took it out again tonight, so far I have 12 miles on the engine, and it seems to be running just fine.

On the trip I think I will just drive a little spirited, trying my best to vary speeds as often as possible. Buddy you are right a portion of the trip lends itself to changing speeds which helps.

So far no leaks except for an irritating fuel leak coming from the tee valve line, which I have tried fixing twice. Funny I have all this feed the beast pipe fittings and a tee plumbed into the FFM for a fuel pressure gauge and none of that leaks, just the stupid factory tee valve ha.

Thanks for the kind words jifaire! I will definitely have to get some pictures up to share. The block, heads, front cover and water pump are all red, and valve covers and accessories are black, with aluminum painted intake. Looking back I would have done more red. As I found out, once the motor is in the truck and all hooked up, you don't see much of the red!

Thanks again guys!!

I've got to apologize here. When I first read your post, in light of other current posts, I thought this was a total spoof. Thus my response.

It is now apparent your post was not a spoof, but a serious question. Thus, I respectively apologize for my sarcastic response. Thankfully, you took it in a good light.

Good luck with your refreshened ride.

 

[vdb11]

Haha no worries Big T, nothing wrong with some joking around

I think its refreshing to have some fun on here every once in awhile, I feel as if 6.5 forums get depressing real fast and not enough people are enjoying the company we have here

Thanks again fellas.

 

[Chief915]

So.....how did the break in go? If you followed Big T's advice, I am sure you're worn out.

 

[vdb11]

Haha I am tired thats for sure Its alot to fit in one day.

Unfortunately it rained at the park almost the whole day, so we got six rides in eight hours, not the best, but we still had fun.

Anyways the truck ran like a champ, I got it buttoned up yesterday and cleaned the inside quick and took off. Turns out, I still have a slight boost leak, which was annoying to listen to as the big Holset tried to spool. Also I found my fuel leak was at the only fitting I couldn't reach easily, right at the back of the ip. It wasn't enough to bother me. It actually seems to have slowed down or stopped, knock on wood, maybe the line swelled?

The truck definitely has good get up and go, even with the boost leak, and the EGTs seemed cooler. I found out Wednesday that my dash coolant gauge was off so I hooked up a cheap sunpro gauge. I had no way to get the gauge in the truck in a hurry so it was under the hood. I checked it periodically at stops, and it ran 190-192 the entire time. Oil pressure starts out at 60 psi, and runs at 40 psi or just above while hot. No leaks, besides a slight rear oil pan seal leak (I should have put some black RTV on it when I put it together, but I didn't).

I drove fairly spirited, I was never going a consistent speed for more than ten minutes, I was bouncing between 50-60 mph most of the time, and I pushed it some with every acceleration.

Anyways overall a good trip and I think the truck is happy

Thanks guys for all your help! I will be getting some pictures and info up soon in my garage on the rebuild.

 

[Crankme69]

That's good to hear, glad it all went well.

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

Good for you......May your 6.5 rattle like it should!

 

[Acesneights1]

I think you should stop at every scenic vista and knock it out with the gf. Vary the rpms and the stroke. Kiss and go. Be careful as these session are when your engine is most prone to overheating. Based on the route you're taking the fluid levels should be fine.:hihi:

Who thought this was sarcastic ? I thought it was sound advice...
Especially chiefs comment about damage form leakage...

 

[vdb11]

Oops, sorry guys I didn't realize I had double posted.

aces I think it was sound advice too I don't think there is anything I can't learn from you guys

Anyways, I filled up today just to check my mileage and I was shocked.... 20 mpg!!!! I have NEVER gotten that, not even close. Closest was a day with about 400 miles of mostly highway driving, and I got 17.6 mpg. I wasn't even trying yesterday, like I said with the harder acceleration and never consistent speed (never had my cruise on).

Before the rebuild I was getting about 15-16 mpg in town. I can't wait to see what she does on this tank. The truck only weighs 5800 lbs with me in it so it should do pretty well, I guess I figured with 4.10s I was getting about as good as I could get, glad I was wrong

Anyways thanks again guys for the nice comments!