1Ton-K1500

sbc 421 stroker. 400ci .030 over 3.875 stroke 6.00 rod flat tops iron heads 2.02 valves flat tappet cam stamped rockers. heard many of break in ideas, my first break in. best one i have heard is

--start, set timing, check for leaks, let idle for 15 min, bump to 2500 rpm for 15 min then just drive it easy with varying rpm and load

anyothers?? thanks

been my project for past 3 years

Camaro 69

Pre-lube the engine using an oil pump priming tool.
Follow the recommended cam break-in procedure: holding the rpm's between 2-3k for 20 minutes.
Drain and replace the oil and filter.
Then drive the car to break in the rings. Driving puts a load on the rings, which is what pushes them out against the cylinder walls for proper break-in. Just running the engine in the garage is a light load and doesn't give the same effect as driving.
Don't baby the engine, but don't beat on it either. And yes, drive it at varying speeds and rpm's.

1Ton-K1500

and what if the truck cant drive?

Camaro 69

Then you have no reason to need to start the engine till you can.

1Ton-K1500

It's in my mud truck so driving it down the road really isn't an option. Also during the priming I have heard to turn the crank with a socket to help oil mains?

D0UG

Try to similate driving around town to vary the RPM as Camaro 69 suggested. No need at all to turn cranshaft with socket. If you have oil in the pump (primed), the mains will have good oil before the engine starts. If you let the truck sit a week, do you plan on turning the crank with a socket before driving it? Of course not. If you are super paranoid about it, remove the spark plugs and crank the engine. There will be nearly no load at all on the crankshaft and rod bearings.

The reason for draining the oil after 30 minutes or so of running is to examine the drained oil for water. So don't waste $$ on synthetic oil for the first startup. Any thin 10-20W oil will work fine. I use to put the oil if a few glass jars and let it sit overnight. If there was any water in it, the water would be at the bottom and I could see it with a light.