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Breaking In A Rebuilt 225 V6

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Renegade ll, Jul 27, 2016.

  1. Jul 27, 2016
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    I will be firing up my 1971 cj5 with 225 V6 oddfire soon and was wondering what others have done to insure long engine life. The place that rebuilt it said to add an additive of zinc and phosphorus. I was going to use Lucas Engine Break-In Additive. How long does it take before the engine is fully broke in? 500 miles or so? Does anyone add anything to there oil after break in is complete? Thanks

    Julius
     
  2. Jul 27, 2016
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    In my opinion if they used plenty of assembly lube, you should start it, run it up to about 2200rpm for about 15-20 minutes, let it idle down. Make sure you have good oil pressure at this time and the temp stays within a reasonable range. Shut it down and change the oil and filter with a ZDDP additive, then drive it mildly for the first 500-600 miles varying the rpm as much as possible, meaning no highway driving at a steady 55-65mph, stick with around town driving. After this drive it like you would any other vehicle.
    Assembly lube is hard on filters along with any metal shavings that need to be removed.
     
  3. Jul 27, 2016
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    Thanks Mike for the good info.
     
  4. Jul 27, 2016
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    I run rotella t and a magnet on the oil filter after the break in zddp additive.
     
  5. Jul 27, 2016
    69Willys

    69Willys Las Vegas, NV

    Las Vegas, NV
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    Do like Mike says. On my van (flat tappet Chevy 350 crate motor), I used a mineral based break in oil, and then 10W30 Mobil 1 high mileage full synthetic after break in (1100ppm phosphorus and 1000ppm zinc) changing that after 500 miles.
     
  6. Jul 28, 2016
    Jomani

    Jomani New Member

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    There are a couple of different things going on with an engine "break-in". At initial start, you need to make sure that all friction points are well lubricated hence the assembly lube. Once oil reaches those points (less than 30 seconds), the lubrication part of the break-in is complete. The second thing to be concerned with is the proper break-in of the cam and lifters. Most manufacturers recommend running at a certain RPM for a specified amount of time. The third, and most important part of the initial break-in is properly seating the rings. This is where the majority of metal gets into the oil.

    Causing the engine to labor during the break-in process helps the rings to seat properly. Varying the engine RPM changes the dynamics in the firing chamber - amount of rod stretch, temperature, etc. I have always let the engine come up to operating temp at a high idle giving you an opportunity to monitor oil pressure, check for leaks, watch the thermostat open and close. Once everything looks good, run it up to the RPM recommended by the cam manufacturer and run it for their recommended time. You haven't properly seated the rings yet because you haven't put it under a load. Put it under a load by driving it - I don't baby it at all during break-in. I ran a dyno room for a couple of years and put a large number of freshly rebuilt engines through their paces. Definitely change the oil and filter at about 500 miles.

    I don't use any additives, but it couldn't hurt. It is also not going to hurt anything to change the oil and filter before 500 miles. I would certainly follow the recommendations of the guy who built the engine.
     
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  7. Jul 28, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    No science to this thought, but I change the oil and filter at 50 miles, then again at 500.

    It's cheap enough to do that first flush of any particulates, compared to the cost of the rebuild.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2016
    colojeepguy likes this.
  8. Jul 28, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    I still havent changed the oil since I chucked the junk back together and called it an engine. Been at least 300 miles. Guess I should..:whistle:
     
  9. Jul 30, 2016
    army grunt

    army grunt Member

    Georga USA
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    ((((((You truly have a problem))))))I have a 71, 225 also. Ill swap with you, an when I am am sure its well broken in Ill give it back:)
    Back in the day, It was said to break it in the same way as you plan to drive it. Just run good oil, an change often. (every 1,000) was the rule back then.At least for the first few 1,000.
    Good luck with it..
     
  10. Aug 2, 2016
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    Army Grunt, sounds good. Just have it back to me before hunting season.
     
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