Breaking in an recently overhauled engine

Green 52 · Jun 2, 2019

I just recently had my 1952 B John Deere overhauled; pistons,rings, etc. Is there a protocol for breaking in an engine?

JOCCO · Jun 2, 2019

Put your foot flat and don't look back!!! I run mine at different rpm for a few minutes each then do very light work before anything heavy.

jon f mn · Jun 2, 2019

Run it for an hour or two then work it hard for a day. Steady throttle is not good, so something where you speed up and slow down is best.

JOCCO · Jun 2, 2019

What you doing commenting on John deere didn't figure you would have one on the property!!!

David G · Jun 2, 2019

Work it like you stole it.

danofarming · Jun 2, 2019

Work it Hard for a few hours. Then work it just like you want to.

buickanddeere · Jun 2, 2019

Work it hard but not lugging . with the coolant at 195F. Low coolant temperature ruins engines .

Steve@Advance · Jun 2, 2019

I don't think there is a lot you need to do as far as running it, just do your normal chores.

Somethings I've been told not to do, don't let it sit and idle. Keep the RPM's up, especially if it got a new cam and lifters. Don't do an immediate oil change, leave the break in oil, (which is no different than what will be run hereafter) in until a regular oil change is due. I like to inspect the first oil for anything abnormal, glitter is not good.

What to do, retorque the head bolts and check the valve clearance after the first start up and up to temperature. Keep a close watch for leaks, coolant in the oil, oil in the coolant. Watch the gauges, listen for anything unusual. Look for loose or missing bolts, anything that may have not been put back as or where it should. If there is going to be a problem, it will likely show up quickly.

Be sure everything else is in good order. Don't run it with a poorly tuned carb, bad gas, clogged air cleaner, bad ignition, non working charging system, clogged radiator, or any other problems that may show up or were not addressed during the rebuild.

Common sense and close observations are essential!

showcrop · Jun 2, 2019

Shops that perform major engine overhauls have dynamometers mainly for breaking in and testing after the job is done. There are specific manufacturers protocols that go something like 25% of max load for 20 min 50% for 60 min and then 80% for 30 min. That procedure may not have been around when the B was built, but there could very well have been a set protocol. It would be advisable to avoid idling, and very strongly advised to get a break-in additive with zinc. I have a quart of it in the engine that I started up for the first time yesterday.

ditchwitch · Jun 2, 2019

I know ill get called crazy but. Every engine i have built i run it like i stole it. I do a cam brake in run for 30 mins after that put it to work what ever you have to do.

jon f mn · Jun 2, 2019

Wasn't a JD question, just a break in question. And your right, I wouldn't own a JD tractor, but some if their stuff is good and if I was farming in a big way I would likely have some. And I don't fault anyone for having them, just don't like it when they say stuff that is not true, for instance that JD was first with a good cab or that their cab was better. You could drop the whole poking at me with JD stuff thing and make everyone happy.

rustred · Jun 2, 2019

breaking it in means your seating the piston rings to the cyl wall. this means u want to avoid prolong idling or running cold. just work it normally, no over loading. vary the load and rpm. you want the rings to expand outward to seat themselves with the power stroke. nothing much else to break in. plus don't run it hot cause you risk the chance of scoring a piston , more so with new sleeves and pistons. just operating temperature.

JOCCO · Jun 2, 2019

Sorry

tim s · Jun 2, 2019

I warm them up as I check for any leaks and send them to the field....the up and down of the pistons is what wears into place,, and it don't matter much where that happens....

4520BW · Jun 2, 2019

Not sure about 2 cylinders put diesels just use it. Think of all the new engines being built and just used without a break in.

Lynerd · Jun 2, 2019

Green 52 I put them on dyno and warm them up good no more than 1/2 power. Then retorque the head. Full power after that. Lynn

omahagreg · Jun 2, 2019

I met my friend at a plow day where he had his freshly overhauled JD 4020. He had borrowed a 4 bottom plow and was running it full bore! Figured it be broke in by the end of the day!

spacechem · Jun 3, 2019

I knew one old-time mechanic that used to put a teaspoon of Bon Ami cleanser in each intake hole before he installed the manifold. Said it helped to seat the rings.

timcasbolt · Jun 3, 2019

(quoted from post at 00:35:27 06/03/19) Not sure about 2 cylinders put diesels just use it. Think of all the new engines being built and just used without a break in.

I have no idea about current manufacturing methods, but every engine built in the Tonawanda engine plant was broken in on natural gas.

SVcummins · Jun 3, 2019

If anybody has the tennaco case to fiat cnh part number for the invisible paint please respond

dr sportster · Jun 5, 2019

Correct answer !

Breaking in an recently overhauled engine

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