FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / break in oil and indexing bell housing

**Posted by 1fststang** 12/30/2018 6:00 PM

Getting ready to stuff my Keith Craft built 427w in my 67 Fastback.
They recommend Joe Gibbs break in oil. What are you guys using for breaking in a new build engine?

I am putting a TKO600 and Quick Time bell housing. My engine is a new dart block so it doesn't have any dowels. I bought new dowels from Lakewood. I plan to put a little oil on them and drive them in with a hammer and punch to not mess up the ends although they come beveled on the ends.

The bell comes powder coated and the block came painted from Keith Craft. I think I'm going to put the dial indicator on it and see if its within spec. If not I may remove the bell and remove paint from back of block and check again. Any of you guys done this before with similar components? I'm hoping to not have to remove the powder coat and or paint. Also hoping to not need offset dowels.

thanks for any advice,

**Posted by josh-kebob** 12/30/2018 6:28 PM

The builder recommended break in oil is what you need to use especially if there's a warranty involved.

**Posted by Bolted to Floor** 12/30/2018 6:34 PM

I used a roller cam in the 390 so conventional 10w-30 for me.

My QuickTime bell got bolted to the block with Ford dowels and the indexing was within spec. I didn't have to remove any paint or powder coating.

**Posted by 1fststang** 12/30/2018 6:49 PM

I'm running a roller cam as well.

**Posted by Chaplin** 12/30/2018 7:15 PM

Doesn't Keith Craft ship his engines already broken in and dyno tested? Or did you not buy a complete engine? But either way, I agree with Josh, I'd use what they told you to use.

You won't know about the bell until you check it out. If you're lucky, it will bolt together as is and require no adjustments or paint scraping.

**Posted by 1fststang** 12/30/2018 7:21 PM

He build my minus intake, oil pan & oil pump & distributor. He charges additional to break them in and dyno. I forget how much additional.

Should be pretty stock engine. Its a Dart block, AFR 205 heads, custom roller cam, msd distributor and ignition box, custom headers, rpm air gap intake and Quick Fuel carb.

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 12/31/2018 2:28 PM

I would use whatever break in oil they specify, and whatever break in procedure as well. Not doing so gives them an easy out to void your warranty.

Once its broken in I'd run Amsoil in the appropriate weight the builder recommends.

I would definitely check the bellhousing alignment. If its not aligned properly you will need to use offset dowels to get it within spec. The paint on the engine and bellhousing has nothing to do with the index of the bellhousing.