Using oil after only 3K Miles

[John Ratliff]

The 259 in my Hawk was rebuilt 3,000 Mi. ago. I have changed oil one time. Using 30 detergent. No leaks but going through a qt. every 1,000 mi. or so. What is the best way to seat the rings?
Thanks, John

John Ratliff

[jackb]

......get on the highway and drive 50 miles or more at speeds greater than 60 mph...Iron rings or chrome ???

[Mike Van Veghten]

This question depends on a FEW things.

Engine questions -
1. As has been asked..what rings did you use?
2. Was the honing of the cylinder bores honed for that ring?
3. How were the rings gapped..or were they?
4. Note that the ring end gap MANY be too large...in this case...your sunk.

Now for driving questions -
1. Note..only pressure seats rings. Driving like a little ol lady won't help the situation.
2. How are you driving, easy, hard, etc.?

You need to vary the engine rpm. You need to load the rings. The only way to load the rings is to push it a little.
Drive somewhat normal for a short (1/2 mile) distance at about 50mph, then hard on the throttle to about 70/75mph.
My breakin lap is four freeways encircling my house, two laps doing this same thing. There is two up hill sections in one lap, during these up hill sections...I'm on the throttle..from moderatly (first lap) to hard on the second lap.

Each lap is about 40+ miles.
I've never had a ring (or other) problem in my 59 years of building engines doing a break in this way. From bike engines to various car engines.

No need to be easy on it, drive it hard the first coupla hunderd miles...but don't beat it!

Mike

[Bud]

Using a quart in 1000 miles isn't terrible. If you said that the engine was using a quart in 3 or 400 miles, that would be cause for concern. I would say to run the engine for another couple of thousand miles with fresh oil, the oil consumption may decrease. Oil consumption is dependant on which rings were used during the rebuild, bearing clearance, cylinder bore finish, oil viscosity and how hard you run the engine. Bud

[PackardV8]

The other question which should be asked is where is the oil going? Oil can get into the chamber through the rings, the valve guides or the PCV valve - do you have a PCV valve?

Do you see blue smoke at idle? Blue smoke under acceleration? Under deceleration? Smoke when the throttle is first opened after an in-gear deceleration?

Do you see any evidence of crankcase blow-by - that is oil vapor around the breather(s)?

thnx,jack vines

PackardV8

[John Ratliff]

quote:Originally posted by PackardV8

The other question which should be asked is where is the oil going? Oil can get into the chamber through the rings, the valve guides or the PCV valve - do you have a PCV valve?

Do you see blue smoke at idle? Blue smoke under acceleration? Under deceleration? Smoke when the throttle is first opened after an in-gear deceleration?

Do you see any evidence of crankcase blow-by - that is oil vapor around the breather(s)?

thnx,jack vines

PackardV8

Jack, there is oil vapor on the end of breather. Also the smell of burnt oil when I drive. No sign of leak anywhere.

John Ratliff

[PackardV8]

I'd do a leak-down test. That will quickly determine whether the rings have seated.

thnx, jack vines

PackardV8