Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-06-2018, 05:14 PM   #1
1930marie
Senior Member
 
1930marie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 238
Default New motor break-in with babbit bearings

There are many threads on this subject, however, I dont remember reading how our fellow A'ers do it in a big city. I would like to hear how you go about getting those rings seated.
__________________
They know enough who know to learn.

Last edited by 1930marie; 01-06-2018 at 08:02 PM. Reason: stated wrong
1930marie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2018, 09:35 PM   #2
wmws
BANNED
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Coatesville, Pa
Posts: 719
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Don’t rev it don’t lug it and after you have a few miles on it accelerated hard for
2 or 3 seconds in second or third gear. Keep varying your speed for the first 300
To 500 miles.
wmws is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 01-07-2018, 06:13 AM   #3
PRG999
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 61
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

When mine was rebuilt I was told not to go over 30 for the first 300 miles, and to vary the speed. Takes a while to do 300 miles that way
PRG999 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2018, 10:30 AM   #4
1930marie
Senior Member
 
1930marie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 238
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Exactly my point. Going up and down 20-30 mph for 300-500 miles will take me a year and how will I know the rings actually seated?
__________________
They know enough who know to learn.
1930marie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2018, 11:05 AM   #5
Kurt in NJ
Senior Member
 
Kurt in NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,140
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

The first erngine I broke in easy and cartefully, not over 35 for a long time, it only lasted 3000 miles ---after fixing it with new main babbitt I "broke it in" in 2 days---on the PA turnpike, kept it to 45 till Harrisburg, then 50, would do 67 in Ohio---drove it over 60 the rest of the way, still tryinh to break it 35 years later,New iron rings "seat" quick if the cylinders are properly prepared (round, not tapered or barrel shaped), used rings take longer
Kurt in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2018, 11:15 AM   #6
mike657894
Senior Member
 
mike657894's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Bay City Michigan
Posts: 1,050
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I have rebuilt and replaced pistons on a few things now and have never had to do it twice. As for break in I wouldn't go out and rag on it. And i wouldn't be able to stand driving slow enough to lug it. But I just drive how I would normally. Lets call it driving with a little gusto.
mike657894 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2018, 11:44 AM   #7
Railcarmover
BANNED
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,262
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

What difference does babbit bearings make on how you break an engine in?
Railcarmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2018, 01:17 PM   #8
hardtimes
Senior Member
 
hardtimes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South California
Posts: 6,188
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1930marie View Post
There are many threads on this subject, however, I dont remember reading how our fellow A'ers do it in a big city. I would like to hear how you go about getting those rings seated.
If concerned about making sure that rings seat quickly and positively, use modern thin rings. My latest B took maybe 1/2 hr on a stand. No oil burning, no blow by and no smoking. You can use all other internals as you wish/have. Thin modern rings seat quickly in a properly prepared cylinder. Of course, you have to have pistons for these rings, but if starting a rebuild anyway , may as well not have such seating worries !
hardtimes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2018, 08:58 PM   #9
glenn in camino
Senior Member
 
glenn in camino's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Camino, CA.
Posts: 3,086
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

I've rebuilt several of my engines. After the first start, I let it run for about 15 minutes Then, I rev it a few times, let it warm up, and torque the head again. After I've driven it around my neighborhood for a while, torque the head one more time.
glenn in camino is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2018, 09:59 PM   #10
PC/SR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 1,276
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Babbit bearings make no difference in break in. I just gradually accelerate to about 45-50, then let off down to 25 or so and do it again 4-5 times. The deceleration sucks oil up the rings. The accelleration forces the rings against the cylinder walls. Do it a few times over a couple days and all is well. Just for fun, try tracking compression tests. Check compression initially and as you proceed. The compression will increase over a 1000 mile period, but that does not mean you cannot drive it normally after a few accellerations. It just takes time for a perfect fit, but a perfect fit is not necessary for a driver.
PC/SR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 12:41 AM   #11
1930marie
Senior Member
 
1930marie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 238
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by Railcarmover View Post
What difference does babbit bearings make on how you break an engine in?
I honestly dont know the answer to that. This entire engine replacement has been a double edged sword. I now have a new motor with more power thanks to a Snyder head. On the flip side, my car suffered paint chips and scratches that may well be the norm when installing a new motor, but hard on me. I am interested in breaking this motor in correctly and never having to pull the motor again.
__________________
They know enough who know to learn.
1930marie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 12:50 AM   #12
1930marie
Senior Member
 
1930marie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 238
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by PC/SR View Post
Babbit bearings make no difference in break in. I just gradually accelerate to about 45-50, then let off down to 25 or so and do it again 4-5 times. The deceleration sucks oil up the rings. The accelleration forces the rings against the cylinder walls. Do it a few times over a couple days and all is well. Just for fun, try tracking compression tests. Check compression initially and as you proceed. The compression will increase over a 1000 mile period, but that does not mean you cannot drive it normally after a few accellerations. It just takes time for a perfect fit, but a perfect fit is not necessary for a driver.
Ive been able to do 25-35 pulls in our area, but I will have traffic stacked up if I go into the heavy traffic here. Speed limits are all 45/50 and up. I think Im going to have to wait for this daylight savings to end so I can hit the road at 6:00 am with no traffic issues.
__________________
They know enough who know to learn.
1930marie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 02:16 AM   #13
Dollar Bill
Senior Member
 
Dollar Bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Keystone Heights, FL
Posts: 647
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

I have broken in a number of engines easy and raw-dogged others. Could not tell the difference.

Drive it as you normally drive just vary engine speed. No cruise control and 500 mile trips

Change oil at the 100 mile mark.
__________________
I Love Anything That Turns Money Into Noise
Dollar Bill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 02:56 AM   #14
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Who rebuilt it and what did they say?
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 08:48 AM   #15
Railcarmover
BANNED
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,262
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

If your bearings are poured and fitted correctly then the run in period will have no effect on them.My only break in advice is change the oil frequently,within the first two hours to remove assembly debris,then four hours,then 100 miles then 500 miles for metal slough off from rings.

Dirt and debris introduced during assembly occurs no matter how clean you work.

Drive the car as you would normally.Almost all the failures of new engines Ive seen had nothing to do with how it was broke in,if its assembled correctly it will last.
Railcarmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 09:01 AM   #16
BoysToys1928A
Member
 
BoysToys1928A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tower City, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Congrats on a new motor "Merry Christmas to you" This sounds like a great problem to have... I'm glad the engine starts each time I push on the starter
__________________
"All you have to be is smarter than what you are working with" Larry Stout Quote thats me... Few old men finish well.
BoysToys1928A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 09:25 AM   #17
Railcarmover
BANNED
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,262
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1930marie View Post
I honestly dont know the answer to that. This entire engine replacement has been a double edged sword. I now have a new motor with more power thanks to a Snyder head. On the flip side, my car suffered paint chips and scratches that may well be the norm when installing a new motor, but hard on me. I am interested in breaking this motor in correctly and never having to pull the motor again.
Don't let the chips and scratches annoy you.You're the only one who focuses them.My eyes always go to the flaws in my work,I have to condition myself not to let it ruin the enjoyment of having the car. Drive it like its the love of your life,even though the dimples on her ass could hold a days rain shes still your girl..
Railcarmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 09:26 AM   #18
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,432
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

I just drive without any consideration for break-in. About the first 500 miles, I change the motor oil to full synthetic. After 500 miles, I change the oil once per year.
__________________
Bob Bidonde
Bob Bidonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 10:20 AM   #19
BILL WILLIAMSON
Senior Member
 
BILL WILLIAMSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
I just drive without any consideration for break-in. About the first 500 miles, I change the motor oil to full synthetic. After 500 miles, I change the oil once per year.
YES, just DRIVE IT! The rings will do what they're DESIGNED to DO!
Bill Practical
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"
BILL WILLIAMSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2018, 04:13 PM   #20
Chuck Sea/Tac
Senior Member
 
Chuck Sea/Tac's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma
Posts: 2,351
Default Re: New motor break-in with babbit bearings

The man that built my engine, did a B for a friend. They got it in at 3:00am, and the car headed out on a 4000 mile trip to Colorado and beyond 2 hrs later. They did two torques before he left, and I assume one down the road. Last I knew it had 35,000 miles on it. Y the way, this was a felpro asbestosis gasket.
Chuck Sea/Tac is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:52 AM.