96 Challenger break-in where is it?

[97explorer717]

Am I overlooking it in shop manual? I scrolled through twice and did not see it. Did find some discrepancies on carb settings that was interesting. Also premix 32:1? No injection connected. I've been trying to get this thing up for 4 years now. Some my fault, some not. I don't want to botch this.

 

[JeremyD615]

32:1 is fine for break in if you’re premixing, but keep extra plugs handy, because you will foul them. I run a good heat cycle on a new engine before taking it out on the water. Back the trailer into the water and start the engine. Let it run for 15-20 minutes while you double check for leaks and that everything is cooling. Then let the boat cool completely. Once it’s cooled off, you can take the boat out, but keep the throttle under about 20%. The boat won’t plane, but just put around for another 20-30 minutes before shutting it down and letting it cool off again. You then repeat the process taking the boat up to 50%, and then 75%. Once you get through all of that, you can run it up to 90% for the rest of the first tank. Just don’t do any full throttle pulls or hold a single throttle position for more than a few seconds at a time. It’s tedious, and a pain to do for the first tank, but it will get the engine broken in correctly. After that first tank, you’re good to go!

 

[97explorer717]

32:1 is fine for break in if you’re premixing, but keep extra plugs handy, because you will foul them. I run a good heat cycle on a new engine before taking it out on the water. Back the trailer into the water and start the engine. Let it run for 15-20 minutes while you double check for leaks and that everything is cooling. Then let the boat cool completely. Once it’s cooled off, you can take the boat out, but keep the throttle under about 20%. The boat won’t plane, but just put around for another 20-30 minutes before shutting it down and letting it cool off again. You then repeat the process taking the boat up to 50%, and then 75%. Once you get through all of that, you can run it up to 90% for the rest of the first tank. Just don’t do any full throttle pulls or hold a single throttle position for more than a few seconds at a time. It’s tedious, and a pain to do for the first tank, but it will get the engine broken in correctly. After that first tank, you’re good to go!

I had searched other break in procedures and yours was pretty much in line with everyone else. This one had at least one extra percentage in it. Love it! Only made it to 75% but hasn't blown yet. Hopefully I let it cool down enough in between runs. I gave it at least two hours per cycle to cool off. It was pretty hot out here Saturday. I had the hood removed just as it's easier to look back and keep an eye on things. Sun beating down on that engine didn't help. Ended up draping a beach towel over top and was a lot better. Got a good 20 gallons of fuel left in that tank so...Thanks for the info!

 

[JeremyD615]

Good deal! Don’t be afraid to give it the beans after you get through that first tank. It’s good to run them hard once they get a few heat cycles in them...