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Break in procedure

42097 Views 39 Replies 22 Participants Last post by  YBLEHSGT350
Break in procedure, just wondering what owners are doing and what Ford recommends?

I’m still waiting for mine (ordered 6 weeks ago) trying to be patient, just want to be as prepared as possible.



Oxford White, Blue over the top stripe, track package.
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Break in procedure, just wondering what owners are doing and what Ford recommends?

I’m still waiting for mine (ordered 6 weeks ago) trying to be patient, just want to be as prepared as possible.



Oxford White, Blue over the top stripe, track package.
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/F...350-Supplement-version-1_su_EN-US_07_2015.pdf

Happy reading!
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Let's see. We drove ours about 200miles on the freeway varying speeds and rpm. Followed by about 300 miles on the dyno to write tunes. Now we pulled everything apart to inspect and it all looked perfect.
Well except the clutch and pilot bearing... they were trash!
Maybe not what Ford recommends but looks good! Since it was apart, we went ahead and stuffed it with real forged rods and pistons. So now when it goes back together we will put about 500 miles on it before we add crazy boost and upgraded clutch.
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Thanks Tankman that is very helpful! I would much rather get all that reading out of the way before the call is sitting in the driveway.

I got a call from the sales rep a few days ago and he said the car is now in "Bucked" status and had a date of 5/21/16, but he was not sure exactly what that date was for?

Definitely appreciate your help!
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Break in procedure, just wondering what owners are doing and what Ford recommends?

I?m still waiting for mine (ordered 6 weeks ago) trying to be patient, just want to be as prepared as possible.



Oxford White, Blue over the top stripe, track package.
I'm going to break mine in for a solid 500 and wait til 1,000 to even touch 8k rpm after an oil change. I'm waiting on the guys who drive em hard and the guys who put power adders on and drive em hard to post any issues they had before I go puttin a 2nd year production engine through any real heavy stress. That's just me.
Nice and gentle for the first 1,000 km (warm her up by driving her gently, and let her idle for a minute before turning off), never going above 3K rpm - 4K rpm, never use the cruise control (vary the speed using your right foot). Then, once you hit the 1K km mark you should change the oil and filter then start having some fun (but ALWAYS warm the engine up by gently driving her).

The above technique is as supplied to me by an F1 engine oil guy. There's a school of thought that says you should drive them as if you stole them (since it supposedly helps seat the rings to the cylinder liners) but he (and I) don't subscribe to that way of thinking. Not saying we're right, just saying we like the nice and gentle approach.
Hi Guys,
I'm an engineer of the old school and logic - Ford told me to stay at 3-4k for first 500 miles - then no more than 7k for the next 500 then it should be 'run-in' - now, from an engineering perspective - the engine is new and all the moving parts are still as manufactured, therefore there will be a microscopic roughness to all the parts, even though there is a lot of oil - also metal needs to harden under temperature (things like cams and followers) - so after running the engine as described above, you will need to change the oil as there will be particles of metal 'sanded' off all the parts - I've always treated an engine gently for the first 1000 miles and I've never had any engine problems after that. hope this view was useful..
I am a little confused

I keep hearing wait 100 miles to go over 4000 or 4500 rpms, but my GT350 supplement guide says this

BREAKING-IN Your vehicle requires a break-in period. Drive your new vehicle at least 100 mi (160 km) before performing extended wide open throttle maneuvers and at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km) before performance or competition conditions. Note: Vary your speed frequently in order to give the moving parts a chance to break in.


so according to Ford, after 100 miles can do extended wide open throttle, so to me once you have over 100 miles you can get on it and enjoy it on the street. I would think 6000 rpms after 100 miles should be ok, or am I totally wrong
I am a little confused

I keep hearing wait 100 miles to go over 4000 or 4500 rpms, but my GT350 supplement guide says this

BREAKING-IN Your vehicle requires a break-in period. Drive your new vehicle at least 100 mi (160 km) before performing extended wide open throttle maneuvers and at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km) before performance or competition conditions. Note: Vary your speed frequently in order to give the moving parts a chance to break in.


so according to Ford, after 100 miles can do extended wide open throttle, so to me once you have over 100 miles you can get on it and enjoy it on the street. I would think 6000 rpms after 100 miles should be ok, or am I totally wrong
That should be fine. I had 100 miles on the car before I got home. I kept from pushing it hard till 1000 miles, but occasional WOT worked into the drives during that time. Just make sure to watch your oil level once you start pushing the motor. A little consumption is normal, but some have seen amounts deeming engine replacements.
I'm still waiting for mine. I ordered it 8/24. they said in a couple weeks. we have an invoice from Ford ad a VIN.

good luck and have fun!

Mel
these engines come broken in from the factory
you can go new from the dealership straight to the race track if you want.
drive it like you stole it.
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Ok but what about the gears in the transmission and differential. I would never do that. All those gears need a little time to seat in smooth against each other. I have known of people with lock rear ends on performance cars complaining about rear end whine from doing just what you said. But by just taking it easy for 500 miles or so made a complete difference.
^ yeah that's a good point Johnny
I'm still waiting for mine. I ordered it 8/24. they said in a couple weeks. we have an invoice from Ford ad a VIN.

good luck and have fun!

Mel
Hey Mel, congrats on your new GT350, post pics in the new members section when it arrives! Speaking of which, are you tracking via the Ford COTUS tracking system or you can call Ford performance directly at 800.364.3788 and they can give you an update using your VIN...
COPIED AND PASTED FROM GT 350 SUPPLEMENT TO OWNERS MANUAL:

BREAKING-IN
Your vehicle requires a break-in period.
Drive your new vehicle at least 100 mi
(160 km) before performing extended wide
open throttle maneuvers and at least
1,000 mi (1,600 km) before performance
or competition conditions.
Note: Vary your speed frequently in order
to give the moving parts a chance to break
in.
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Break-in procedure:

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Thought I would share the old published break-in procedure for Dodge Viper engines. Keep in mind that the 8.0 liter Viper engine red lines at only 6,100 RPM. I am using this procedure on my GT350 with proportionately higher rpm shift points each 200 miles. I have about 650 miles on my car but I have yet to rev the motor over 4,000 rpm. Each 100 miles I will raise the maximum shift point by 500 rpm. After 1,000 miles and my first oil change will be the first time I consider any wide-open throttle maneuvers or taking the engine to red line.

The following break-in procedure is suggested for any NEW Viper engine.

During the first 1000 miles (1610 km):
1. Avoid long periods of engine idling.
2.Wait until the engine has reached operating temperature before driving
enthusiastically.
3.Check the engine oil level at each fuel
fill since a new engine may consume some
oil during the first few thousand miles (this is normal and not a sign of an engine
problem).
4.Keep vehicle speed below 70 mph (113 km/h).
5.Do not make any full throttle starts or full throttle accelerations.
6.Avoid driving at a constant engine rpm for long periods as follows:
!First 200 mile interval (322 km), light throttle run-ups shifting at a maximum
of 2500 rpm. In addition, It is suggested to change the engine oil within the
first 200 miles of engine break-in.
!Second 200 mile interval (322 km), light throttle run-ups shifting at a
maximum of 3500 rpm.
!Third 200 mile interval (322 km), light throttle run-ups shifting at a maximum
of 4000 rpm.
!Fourth 200 mile interval (322 km), light throttle run-ups shifting at a maximum
of 4500 rpm.
!Fifth 200 mile interval (322 km), light throttle run-ups shifting at a maximum
of 5000 rpm.
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July 2019 update. First oil change in early 2019 at 1,300 miles, no oil consumption shown on dipstick. Currently at 3600 miles, no oil consumption visible on dipstick but had about 2 ounces of oil in my air/oil separator. Absolutely no mechanical issues whatsoever. I babied the break-in as described above, hopefully that was the right decision. 2nd oil change will be at 4,000-4,300 miles. Always factory fill, factory filter, factory plug. I recently changed out the factory air filter with the recommended blue Airaid filter which fits my 2018 gt350 perfectly. The OEM filter looks to be hugely inferior.
From the dealer, I avoided the freeway and took the back roads as much as I could, so as to vary the speeds. After that, city and country roads till 1200 miles, never exceeding 4000 rpm. That was difficult. Changed the oil and then experienced how this engine comes alive above 4000 rpm. What a motor. Just passed 3100 miles with no oil consumption issues.🤞Be sure to sign up for track attack. You’ll learn more about your car than you can imagine. You’ll learn what the car’s and your own limits are in a controlled environment. An amazing experience!
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I've taken it easy and I am at 580 miles. Never took it past 5k RPM and when I did it was after I hit around 300 miles or so and short spurt.

I did install the OEM oil catcher for passenger and driver side. I was told that was mandatory and must be done.

As for how much the car roars, I don't think I will ever get used to how awesome it sounds. I love the fact I can use normal mode and it is quiet to not disturb the neighbors. I hated it when people woke me up and so I try to be courteous.

All I can say is this car is going to be something in 10 - 20 years.

Nothing I have ever owned from American car has been this enjoying to drive.

2019 GT 350 FTW!
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