Hey guys, I tried searching, I seem to remember a post on this before but I can't find it. Anyway, I was wondering...I just rebuilt my motor, it has 0 miles on it, once I let it idle for a while and drive it around to make sure everything's hooked back up ok, would it be safe to go on a long trip, say 500 miles in one direction (and change oil there before heading back of course), so as to speed up the break-in period? I live in a very small town and it will take months to get to 3,000 miles when everything I need is 5 miles away. I figure taking it on a trip would be the easiest and fastest way to break it in. Of course these would be interstate miles. Or would city miles be better for the break in?

Any input is appreciated, thanks.

Erica

 

I'm pretty certain the break in period needs to be more stop and go driving throughout the RPM range, not just at some set highway speed. I could be wrong, but that's what I was told when my motor was rebuilt by a reputable tuner.

 

Some engine builders suggest that you do not run your engine at a steady rpm for long periods during the break in period. I suggest that you check with the people that built your engine, for the proper break in procedure.

 

lol I rebuilt it. Just can't find in any of the break in period write-ups where if a trip would be okay for it. I do understand about the need to go through the full range of RPMs though. Wishful thinking I suppose

 

you can as long as you vary speed and rpms. the idea is to shift the loads and oil pressure around during the break-in.

 

so how did the rebuild go.Im very interested in learning how to rebuild my own rotary as well.That way I know it was done correctly.

 

The rebuild went well, it's suprisingly easy. The hard part is getting it out and cleaning everything. If I ever get off my *** I plan on making a Do It Yourself with Instructions and Pictures that I took while doing my own.

 

erica as in you are a girl? you have an FD and you rebuilt the motor yourself? can we get married? theres a 20bFD in it for ya best of luck (sorry i know nothing of break in procedures hehe) -heath

 

You rebuilt the block? Girl you make me feel like a woosy! As previously mentioned, the break in is supposed to be varied speeds and rpm's. You can just exit the freeway every 1/2 hour and re-enter on the next onramp. Take some soda, restroom and food breaks and wala ...she's broke in. Is it a he if you're a she?

 

i think you can but for the breakin, my rebuilder told me that its not the miles that count so much, its the heat cycle the motor goes through......... it has to get hot and cold. ni dont know if thats best for you but i replaced everything including the rotor housings and all bearings and one iron with new dealer items..

 

Put some miles on it first to make sure everything is on and no leaks, then go ahead.

 

like 150-250 miles on it then go ahead..............dont want something happening on the way!

 

I break in rebuilds with road trips all the time. You hear a lot of this "no steady rpms, no highway trips" being thrown around, but I have NEVER once heard a legitimate reasoning from an engineering standpoint behind this.

Bottom line, what is happening during breakin is mostly apex seal wear, corner seal wear, and side seal wear, along with slight housing wear. Those surfaces rubbing together. IT stands to reason that to accomplish breakin of these parts is to let them wear together, to take up any differences between the two. It also stands to reason that to accomplish this, a certain amount of passes of each seal over each surface need to be made. I can't see how it matters whether these passes are made all at once (road trip) or in small segments (city driving). The only merit that city driving has over road tripping is heat cycling of new bearings (not all rebuilds need, or get new bearings anyway).

 

LMAO oooh 20b for marriage? Hmm, that's one I'd consider...

And thanks for the advice everyone. I guess I'll hold off on the trip for a while, thought about driving it to Miami I think a friend and I are going to have break-in period FD races, no boost and under 3k rpms, it'll be a rotary extravaganza! I'm hoping for low 20's in the quarter.

And Kevin, you have a great write-up for breaking in the motors on your site, planning on following it to the letter. Definitely going to let it just idle a day. Then I guess drive it around town for a couple hundred miles.