Advice Needed on Engine Break-In......

[Don Hiltz]

My Arrow rebuild was installed 2 weeks ago. The TSB in the crate indicated that engine RPM's should be limited during the initial 1000 miles.....starting at 2500 and progressing up gradually with every 200 mile increment until the 1000 mile mark is reached. Presently, I'm at the 500 mile mark and can run it up to 4000 RPM's, according to the TSB.

However, the bulletin also suggests that speed should not exceed 70 MPH for the first 1000 miles.

Now my dilemma: At 80 MPH, my car turns only 1600 RPM's in 6th gear. Must I still adhere to the 70 MPH limit, even though I can run much faster and still remain well below the suggested RPM level????

Thanks......

Don

 

[Steve-Indy]

The answer is YES...do not "labor" or "lug" the engine at relatively low rpm such as 80mph in 6th...go easy on that baby,thus protecting it's bottom end. It WILL be worth the wait.

 

[Viper Wizard]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Steve-Indy:
The answer is YES...do not "labor" or "lug" the engine at relatively low rpm such as 80mph in 6th...go easy on that baby,thus protecting it's bottom end. It WILL be worth the wait.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Steve-Indy is CORRECT!!

 

[Don Hiltz]

Thanks for the replies. I have one observation and one more question:

The observation: At 80 MPH in 6th on a level interstate, the engine is far from lugging at 1600 RPM's; it's only loafing.

Now the question: Are you suggesting that it's better to run in 5th at 3000 RPM's? At that, I'll still be doing 80 MPH. Then, my original question remains unanswered: Is it acceptable to exceed the suggested maximum speed if you do not exceed the suggested maximum RPM's?

Thanks again......

Don