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MG MGB Technical - 500miles on new engine, what now ?

Hello you all.
So my new engine has reached the 500miles (800km). So far it has used no oil or water. The temp has allways stayed normal exept after parking when it can sometimes go over the "N".
During these 500miles it was tuned/adjusted because I started at first with normal points and later changed to pertronix. The car is runing fine probably a bit to lean.
The head was "unleaded" the intakes where fixed as in Peter Burgess book and I got new +020 thou pistons. K&N filters and still the original needle in the original AUD 325.
MGB 1969
What should I do now ? I think changing oil and oil filter is the next step. The oil I am using is ELF Prestigrade 15W40 (mineral oil) and it is still looking like new.
Thank you in advance for any good sugestions.
Miguel
Miguel

Miguel,

Sounds like you've done a good job there. Your next job is to retorque the cylinder head nuts according to the correct tightening sequence by backing each one off by a quarter turn and torque loading back to spec. Then check and adjust your valve clearances and change the oil and filter as you've probably washed the inside of your engine completely clear and the filter will be full of muck.

Cheers,
Jim
Jim Aitken

Miguel-
As Jim said, change the oil and oil filter, retorque the head, then adjust the valves. For the next 500 miles limit engine speed to around 4,500 RPM when changing gears. Cruising on the highway should be limited to 3,500 RPM. Keep varying the throttle and engine speed. The secret to a good break-in is to constantly vary the engine speed and load without creating excess heat through full throttle laboring and high engine speed operation. When you have reached 1,000 miles change the oil and filter again to whichever brand of quality oil that you intend to regularly use. For the next 1,000 miles drive the car normally, avoiding the temptation to drive it hard. After that, the engine should be ready for hard service.
Steve S.

Thank you Jim and Steve.
Should I expect that much muck in the oil filter ? The oil looks so clean I was´nt even thinking in changing it before the 1000miles.
Do I only have to retorque once at the 500miles mark?
Thank´s again
Miguel
Miguel

Miguel-
You can retorque the head at 500 and 2,000 miles. Be careful as you back of the head nuts. Back them off in the same pattern that you used to torque the head down. do not allow them to become less than 10 ft-lbs or the gasket may lose its original seal. If you lose that original seal, there will be a strong risk of a blown head gasket later.
Steve S.

may i add to steve's comments, don't lug the engine. shift into a lower gear when the rpm starts to dip below 2100 rpm


while the oil may look new, it may have metal particles in suspension. i used a break in oil for 500 miles then changed oil and filter again at 1000 miles then again at 2000 miles...it can't hurt to change the oil

rn
RN Lipow

This thread was discussed between 06/11/2001 and 07/11/2001

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