David Sterrett (virginia.edu!dws2j) asked:
This fall I took the engine rebuilding class at a local community college and
rebuilt my 69 TR6 engine. Just got the engine back in and started
(sounds great!!) but am wondering what the most reasonable way to break this
puppy in is. My instructor who seems competent and has worked on Triumphs
in the past says "Take that baby out and run it hard. Lug the sh*t out of it
up a few mountains and seat those rings." Anybody have any opinions on
1) the best way to break an engine in ,and 2) what the critical issues in engine
breakin are.
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Mark Lambert replied:
Well, that is exactly what I was told *not* to do. I was told, for
the first 750-1000 miles, "do not under any circumstances lug the
engine, and do not take it above 4000RPM". I was also told to adjust
the valves and change the oil at 500 miles, and then again at 1000.
I suspect a lot of the breakin rules are folklore (you know: "offer
three bottles of Sam Smith's Extra Strong Pale Ale to Auld Joe Lucas
at 500 miles, again at 1000, and every year at Walpurgisnacht without
fail"), but there seems to be a thread of consistency to them, dealing
with oil changes and engine revs.
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I agree with some aspects of Mark's reply, specifically:
Changing the oil and filter at 500 and 1000 miles.
Avoid lugging the engine (eg. running below 1000/1500 rpm in 2nd, 3rd,
or 4th gear. Especially 4th.) Lugging the engine
I believe can cause detonation which is something to be
avoided even after any break-in period.
I do not necessarily agree that one should avoid reving the engine above
4000 rpm. Consider that anyone engaged in competitive events certainly
doesn't 'break-in' each engine for 500 to 1000 miles before using
it in a competitive situation. True, such engines are often built
or rebuilt to a more exacting set of standards (eg. fully balanced
drive train) than is the typical rebuild, but I don't think that
you must totally avoid revs over 4000 because an engine is rebuilt
without also being balanced. The TR-6 engine has a red-line of
5500 rpm, and if the rebuild is to spec, getting on it occasionally
shouldn't (In my opinion) be detrimental.
Some other considerations: I would use the highest octane fuel
available during the first 500/1000 miles to avoid any pinging
or detonation. Check your TR-6 factory manual to see if the
cylinder head should be retorqued within a specified mileage
after being rebuilt. In fact, the manual may also include
specific break-in recommendations.
Bill Sohl, VTR President
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