Breaking in your brand new Boss 302
#1
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Breaking in your brand new Boss 302
This has been discussed before to some degree, and it just came up again. The supplement owner's guide for the Boss states..
"Your vehicle requires a break-in period. Drive your new vehicle at least
100 miles (160 km) before performing extended wide open throttle
maneuvers and at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before performance/
competition conditions. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in."
And then here is a good read to totally contradict what the owner's manuals say is the "right way" ...
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
So who is right? The Boss engine was rigorously tested, so it would stand to reason that they know what they are talking about. But reading the article in the link provides many good points as well.
Thoughts, comments, and concerns... ?
"Your vehicle requires a break-in period. Drive your new vehicle at least
100 miles (160 km) before performing extended wide open throttle
maneuvers and at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before performance/
competition conditions. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in."
And then here is a good read to totally contradict what the owner's manuals say is the "right way" ...
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
So who is right? The Boss engine was rigorously tested, so it would stand to reason that they know what they are talking about. But reading the article in the link provides many good points as well.
Thoughts, comments, and concerns... ?
#4
Legacy TMS Member
Anyone who spends the cash on a new vehicle should "break it in" however they are most comfortable in doing it..... but my opinion for whatever it's worth would be to break it in however you intend to drive it normally..... for me, that's driving it like you stole it.
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I blended the ideas with my last two break ins.
Good warm engine. Always.
Varying rpm's - including to redline because that's where its going to go throughout its life. (No carbon or ridge allowed! ) I don't labor it to redline or hold it there. Run it up there and shift, but also do some decel mixed in.
I didn't stay on freeways very long because I wanted to avoid constant rpm's. Used two laners where I could shift and play and vary rpm's safely.
First oil change was within 1000 miles.
Both engines running great, good power, no oil consumption to speak of. One has 12,925, the other 2725.
IMO No warranty stated or implied. Reader assumes all risk.
Good warm engine. Always.
Varying rpm's - including to redline because that's where its going to go throughout its life. (No carbon or ridge allowed! ) I don't labor it to redline or hold it there. Run it up there and shift, but also do some decel mixed in.
I didn't stay on freeways very long because I wanted to avoid constant rpm's. Used two laners where I could shift and play and vary rpm's safely.
First oil change was within 1000 miles.
Both engines running great, good power, no oil consumption to speak of. One has 12,925, the other 2725.
IMO No warranty stated or implied. Reader assumes all risk.
Last edited by cdynaco; 1/31/11 at 04:00 PM.
#7
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I like this quote in regards to breaking in the engine as described in the link..
"Due to the vastly improved metal casting and machining technologies which are now used, tight parts in new engines are not normal. A manufacturing mistake causing a tight clearance is an extremely rare occurrence these days. But, if there is something wrong with the engine clearances from the factory, no amount of gentle running will fix the problem."
"Due to the vastly improved metal casting and machining technologies which are now used, tight parts in new engines are not normal. A manufacturing mistake causing a tight clearance is an extremely rare occurrence these days. But, if there is something wrong with the engine clearances from the factory, no amount of gentle running will fix the problem."
#8
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Reading this closer, it doesn't say baby it: "100 miles (160 km) before performing extended wide open throttle"
So what exactly is extended? Pulling through the first five gears at WOT to 7500 RPM or pulling through any gear at WOT to 7500 RPM?
So what exactly is extended? Pulling through the first five gears at WOT to 7500 RPM or pulling through any gear at WOT to 7500 RPM?
#10
I was going to say "drive it like you stole it", but if Ford has specific recommendations as shown in this thread, I will follow those.
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But then again, my definition of "drive it like you stole it" is not "drive it till you break it" .
From my 08.5 OM:
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating.
See
Engine oil in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter for more information on oil usage.
How does the Boss manual compare to the '11 5.0 Manual?
Last edited by cdynaco; 1/31/11 at 05:47 PM.
#12
Bullitt Member
Another thing to think about is the synthedic oil. I've always heard that you should wait till your first oil change before switching to synthedic and now they are coming that way from the factory. I know there are several other manufactures that do this also but it still makes me second guess it.
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My approach to break in has always been the way cdynaco described above. Never had a problem with any of my engines I got new doing this.
#16
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I also use the blended method and have had good results. I think one item that was talked that is important is the letting up and lowering the rpm naturally and letting the engine clean the bores. Never maintain then same speed and vary it a lot. No cruze-control for me for a few 1000 miles.
#17
I blended the ideas with my last two break ins.
Good warm engine. Always.
Varying rpm's - including to redline because that's where its going to go throughout its life. (No carbon or ridge allowed! ) I don't labor it to redline or hold it there. Run it up there and shift, but also do some decel mixed in.
I didn't stay on freeways very long because I wanted to avoid constant rpm's. Used two laners where I could shift and play and vary rpm's safely.
First oil change was within 1000 miles.
Both engines running great, good power, no oil consumption to speak of. One has 12,925, the other 2725.
IMO No warranty stated or implied. Reader assumes all risk.
Good warm engine. Always.
Varying rpm's - including to redline because that's where its going to go throughout its life. (No carbon or ridge allowed! ) I don't labor it to redline or hold it there. Run it up there and shift, but also do some decel mixed in.
I didn't stay on freeways very long because I wanted to avoid constant rpm's. Used two laners where I could shift and play and vary rpm's safely.
First oil change was within 1000 miles.
Both engines running great, good power, no oil consumption to speak of. One has 12,925, the other 2725.
IMO No warranty stated or implied. Reader assumes all risk.
#18
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I'm with cdynaco as well, the blended approach has always worked well for me in the past for all my cars - the Boss will be no exception. The biggest thing to avoid is the constant RPM.
#19
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I'm thinking of doing the break in on a dyno, as per the 'controversial' method. More controlled conditions that way. The only problem is finding one close to the dealer. Well almost, the other would be if the car comes off the trailer with 25+ miles on it already.