Engine break in on stand vs in the boat

[Buickgsman]

I am finishing the rebuild of my circa 1988 Mercruiser 5.7 engine rebuild. I am wondering if I can break the cam and lifters in on a stand, like bolted to a pallet. I would need to bolt on the flywheel, the bellhousing, exhaust manifolds and upper elbows, and the external water pump. Any other considerations? This would be the ideal scenario for me since I would like to make sure there are no leaks and if there is an issue, I wouldn't have to pull the engine again. Would a garden hose be sufficient for a water source? Any and all comments are appreciated.

 

[kenny nunez]

Running it before putting it in the boat is a smart move. Run it to seat the cam and let it get really warm then let it sit to cool down over night to check for any leaks. Just be sure before starting the first time that everything is ready, fuel,timing,valves adjusted,water supply etc. so that once it starts you do not have to stop it for the first 20-30 minutes.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if this is a flat tappet build, once you get the motor started, bring the RPM to 2000 RPM and hold for the first 20-30 minutes like Kenny mentioned. this is the properly break in the cam and lifters.

 

[Alumarine]

Not a bad idea to have a timing light hooked up so you can see if the timing is close when you first start it.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Ya wanta have a garden hose that can really move some water if yer runnin' 2 grand for a 1/2 hour,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ayuh,.... Ya wanta have a garden hose that can really move some water if yer runnin' 2 grand for a 1/2 hour,....

3/4" diameter minimum with good city water pressure. you wont get enough flow off a well pump

 

[Scott06]

As mentioned above good water supply hose with decent water pressure will get it done. I also hooked up mechanical oil pressure and temperature gauges (about $20 each at auto parts store) to monitor. I screwed four casters from harbor frieght to the pallet so I could move it around easily, but you can do it with the bell housing on the ground and cinderblock under each side mount.

 

[dusted_ya]

If it's a new long block she'll get smoking hot! I usually either use no thermostat or one with a modified weep hole as it will get smoking hot like right away. Set the timing about 2 degrees retarded from stock specs and if it's carborated pre-set your idle screws out about 2 1/2 turns. This way it's not running lean. After break in you can drop down to idle and tune and time.

 

[Buickgsman]

I'm bringing this old post of mine back because I just got back on this project. The engine has been sitting since I buttoned it up and I need to break it in. I have it sitting on a rolling pallet and it's almost ready to go. I have a 1988 engine and I could use some insight on how to wire it to run while on the pallet. It has a single canister style ignition coil and the distributor has 2 electrical plug connectors. The left connector has 2 terminals. The right connector has 4 terminals. Any and all help up to and including a diagram are very appreciated. thanks!

 

[Scott Danforth]

+ battery cable to the B terminal on the starter

- battery cable to the block

jumper the purple wire to battery plus (you are now "hotwired")

yellow wire with red stripe is your start signal, use a momentary start switch, or a screw driver from the B terminal to the S terminal on the starter.

if its been sitting for 2 years, you need to pull the dizzy and re-prime

the only "break-in" you can do on the pallet is the flat tappet cam break in (covered earlier). rings need to be broken in under load.

 

[Buickgsman]

Looks like I am going to try to break the cam in tomorrow. To go from the elbows after the risers down to the drain in the floor I was thinking about 3" plastic drain pipe. Will that be sufficient or will it melt? What should i expect for noise?

 

[Scott Danforth]

This

 

[Bondo]

To go from the elbows after the risers down to the drain in the floor I was thinking about 3" plastic drain pipe. Will that be sufficient or will it melt? What should i expect for noise?

Ayuh,..... That could work,........... LOUD,.......