New engine - what speed allowed?

[Dominic]

Hi folks

I have unexpectedly to take the car on a 600 mile trip tomorrow / Saturday. The engine has only done 600 miles so far, and had the oil & filter changed at 500 miles. There is some unavoidable motorway travel. What sort of maximum speed would be acceptable do you reckon? It seems quite comfortable at 50 now, and is much livelier than it was a few weeks ago. With this distance to go, a higher speed would come in handy! Should I be keeping steady speeds, or varying the revs somewhat?

Thanks

Dom

[salty_monk]

I think it's better to vary speeds when breaking in an engine, they shouldn't be held at one engine speed for any length of time.

Also try not to let it labour.

Personally other than that & not ragging it senseless I wouldn't worry about it too much but that's just my personal opinion.

Dan

[Willie]

If you haven't re-torqued the head nuts yet,and particularly if you fitted a copper head gasket, I would do them before the run.

[bmcecosse]

National speed limit is 70 mph - so keep it below 80 !


Seriously - don't 'nanny' it - but don't hammer it either.

[Dominic]

Hi folks
Back home from the "run"
Yes, it has a copper gasket, nuts re-torqued at about 300 miles.
I took it steadily, varying the speed 50 - 60 mostly, allowing it to cruise at 70 on occasions in the last 100 miles. It has now got about 1300 miles under it's belt! Also, used less than 1/2 pint of oil in the 650 miles driven in the last few days. I'd say that's acceptable, considering the book figure is 600 miles to the pint!