Help with 383 start-up/break in procedure

[maddart]

Recently I had a 1967 383 4 bbl rebuilt and I just finished dropping it in and am ready to break in almost.
As I understand it the following procedure is required:
Prime oil pump (Run counterclockwise) Read oil pressure-25-30lbs-standard oil pimp
Bring up #1 to TDC-Line on balancer should also indicate TDC
Place oil intermediate shaft in place-Groove pointing front to back
Rotate crankshaft to 12˚ BTDC
Drop in distributor with rotor facing rear of engine engaged in oil pump shaft, just past #1 cylinder (Counterclockwise)
Connect wires in order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
All wires and plugs in place-Prime carb
Turn over motor and hopefully it starts
What next???
Bring up to 2000rpm and run for 30 minutes correct? (vacuum line connected to distributor ?)
What about timing and carb adjustment? I know timing light and vac gauge required.
What should initial timing be set at and is this with vac line plugged?
Carb is tuned at idle after break in correct?
Inspect for leaks

 

[Meep-Meep]

That's a good start and I will add the following:

Use good oil!! At least an SL rating or better. ZDDP additive or equiv. No synthetic of any kind - yet.
Boil your thermostat with a thermometer to ensure it opens at the rated temp then install.
All radiator hoses tight and coolant full. Leave cap off to witness coolant flow as it warms up then install.
Constant supply of cool air to radiator core (i.e. not nosed into tight garage). If running a clutch fan make sure the clutch is turning the fan fast enough.
If engine gets warm do this in 5 min intervals.
Vary speed between 1500-2000 RPM watching engine temp and oil pressure.
Have a buddy start the car and keep the RPM up while you check the timing. For now just make sure it's in the ball park - 30-35 deg advance.
If the carb doesn't leak and it seems to meter fuel well enough it's fine for now.
Constantly check for leaks as things warm up.
If auto make sure trans fluid is full.
Savor the aroma of burning header paint and oily fingerprints!

That's off the top of my head and I'm sure someone will add to it.

 

[Domino]

Bring up #1 to TDC-Line on balancer should also indicate TDC

Might as well confirm you are at TDC after compression stroke. (and not 180 deg out just after exhaust stroke) Your distributor rotor should point to #1 plug wire when you hit TDC after the intake valve has finished closing not the exhaust valve.

 

[scotts74birds]

Fire extinguisher. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!

 

[maddart]

All broken in-The guy that did the motor came over to give me a hand.

 

[wasco]

Thread Resurrection! I'm at the same point - got a 383 rebuilt and I'll have to look through the paperwork to see what rings they used, but I do know it has a Comp Cams hydraulic flat tappet camshaft. Comp Cams wants the RPM to be varied between 2000-2500 for 30 minutes but is doing a wider range, like 1500-2500 better for covering the break-in of everything else, like bearings and rings? And what duration are we talking - 30 seconds at each RPM level, a minute, five minutes? Thanks - I'm nervous as hell about this.

 

[beanhead]

Thread Resurrection! I'm at the same point - got a 383 rebuilt and I'll have to look through the paperwork to see what rings they used, but I do know it has a Comp Cams hydraulic flat tappet camshaft. Comp Cams wants the RPM to be varied between 2000-2500 for 30 minutes but is doing a wider range, like 1500-2500 better for covering the break-in of everything else, like bearings and rings? And what duration are we talking - 30 seconds at each RPM level, a minute, five minutes? Thanks - I'm nervous as hell about this.

I don't let them go below 2000 rpm. You don't need to vary the rpm that often....I like to wire the throttle at about 2200 for the first 10 minutes so I can dial the timing, watch for leaks, adjust the carb if necessary...stuff like that. Then I'll move the rpm up and down between 2500 and 2000 intermittently, maybe a few seconds at each rpm or maybe a minute, it doesn't matter too much. The idea is you just want to splash oil in different places.
Don't be too concerned with exact times...just get it fired up immediately, don't let it overheat (above 220 for break-in), give the timing a little extra advance(your headers will thank you) and make sure it's not overly rich.....then at next startup get it out and get on it. No idling in the garage to savor the sweet sound, there will be time for that later after the rings have seated...best of luck!
(And keeping a fire extinguisher handy is always a good idea)

 

[1967coronet]

Place a box fan , ect on a chair blowing into the grille.