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Initial start question

1593 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  cobalt327, 
carlk4728
Hey everyone I'm finishing up my project truck and I have a quick question regarding the initial start. Both the engine and transmission are freshly rebuilt (454/TH400) and so I need to break-in the cam but also fill the tranny with fluid.

According to my cam manufacturer, I need to run the engine no slower than 2500RPM for a period of 30 mins to properly break it in. Will it be OK to perform this procedure with the transmission in a semi-dry state? I put a quart of fluid in the torque converter before I installed it, but it's a stock unit and takes four quarts to fill.

I guess I just don't know what I should give priority to, breaking in the cam or filling the trans? The engine is a 1978 454 mostly stock but with a mild Edelbrock cam and stock valve springs. The THM400 was pulled from a 1974 K10.

Any help would be much appreciated!
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Crosley
If the engine is running and the trans converter is bolted to the flex plate.. the trans pump is turning.

No oil or not enough oil in the trans, you will damage the trans oil pump
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carlk4728
I was thinking that was going to be the case...

Will it suffice to fill the pan, or do I have to run it through the gears to fill it?
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delawarebill
fill'n the trans ???

i don't know off hand but look up the amount of oil it'll need and fill it.. maybe 2 qt's short.. its gonna take quit a few.. as for the engine. have a primer and run it while u turn over the mtr by hand so u get oil up the push rods.. ck a manual for what cyl to adj at tdc then turn one turn and do the other half. spin the push rod and tighten the rocker till u can't turn the push rod and go 1/2 to one turn... fire it up...
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Crosley
Make sure there is oil in the pan of the trans at engine fire up. Add oil to trans as engine runs.

No need to run trans thru gears. Bring trans oil level up to "add" mark on dip stick and you are fine for engine break in.

When you need to drive the vehicle, recheck trans fluid level.
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cobalt327
carlk4728 said:
Hey everyone I'm finishing up my project truck and I have a quick question regarding the initial start. Both the engine and transmission are freshly rebuilt (454/TH400) and so I need to break-in the cam but also fill the tranny with fluid.

According to my cam manufacturer, I need to run the engine no slower than 2500RPM for a period of 30 mins to properly break it in. Will it be OK to perform this procedure with the transmission in a semi-dry state? I put a quart of fluid in the torque converter before I installed it, but it's a stock unit and takes four quarts to fill.

I guess I just don't know what I should give priority to, breaking in the cam or filling the trans? The engine is a 1978 454 mostly stock but with a mild Edelbrock cam and stock valve springs. The THM400 was pulled from a 1974 K10.

Any help would be much appreciated!
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Put four quarts in the tranny before start up. During the cam break in time you can add at least 3-4 quarts more- the tranny and TC will hold at least 10 quarts, likely a couple more. But you don't need to try to top it off until the cam is fully broken in and you can idle the engine.

Info on engine/cam break in here.
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