Engine break in question

[jlr253]

I have a 71 Dodge Charger with a 383 . Aprx 2000 miles on rebuilt engine (complete bottom end, heads reconditioned). Currently the engine is using about a quart of oil every 500 miles. There are no leaks, and no smoke during idle or at the hit of the throttle. On a long deacceleration under load you get that occasional burn oil smell. Is this typical of an engine before it is really broken in or an indicator of issues with the rebuilt? Any advice would be appreciated. Compression test done cold with all by 110 and 115. Pulled carb no oil in intake

 

[khryslerkid]

What do your plugs look like?

Pcv valve being used?

What type of oil and what weight?

 

[WileE]

What was done to the heads ? Valve guides ? Seals ?

 

[khryslerkid]

Welcome jlr! Hit the "Welcome Wagon" when you get the chance, with pictures.

 

[shag766]

the short answer to this, "Is this typical of an engine before it is really broken in or an indicator of issues with the rebuilt?" , is no. now it's the process of elimination to find where and how it's going there. i would start at the plugs and go from there if it were me. what they look like will help give you a sense of direction for next.

 

[jlr253]

thanks everyone for the feedback...
I am running a PCV valve. Rattles good and there wasnt any oil below the carb in the intake
I run castrol 10/40 conventional in it.

The heads were plained and check with harden seats. New valve stem seals. However the heads did in plastic oiled bags for 3 yrs before they were installed on the engine.

I have attached a pic of the spark plugs.

 

[oldbee]

My first thought is what brand/kind of piston rings. Maybe try 10-20 coast downs from 50mph to 20 to really get the rings to seat.

 

[Dennis H]

60k mine uses about a quart per thousand which I think is acceptable. Can you have someone follow you to see if there is a puff between shifts or apps. That lead me to valve guide seals. If smelling something, go downstairs. Odors on mine coming from the Tremec tail leak throwing onto the driveshaft then scattered to exhaust. Trans oil.

Using Amsoil Synthetic 10-40 motor oil.

 

[Bee1971]

"On a long deacceleration under load you get that occasional burn oil smell"

Intake Valley Pan - Sucking Oil

What type of intake ? Factory or aluminum
Did you use any of the thin gaskets , besides the tin pan itself on install

Highest engine vacuum on deacceleration , smoke out of both tailpipes or just one ? I would bet one side if sucking oil

 

[moper]

All rebuilds involve some time where the rings need to seat. That process is entirely determined by the quality of the machine work, the quality of assembly, and the pistons and rings chosen. If modern pistons and moly faced rings were used, and the cylinders were straight and round, and the proper wall finish was created, and it was all cleaned properly - the rings would have seated within the first 2-3 minutes of run time. If any of those items mentioned were not "right", then the break in time will be longer. If they were really wrong, they may never seat right. So the question really should go to your builder. It should not use oil that much at this point, and the cylinder pressure seems low but you don't mention the camshaft or pistons used.