Pace Performance’s Recommended Start-Up Procedure For Crate Engines

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Pace Performance carries everything you need for your General Motors automobile. Carrying genuine GM parts to Chevrolet Performance Parts, Pace Performance is your one-stop shop for all your musclecar performance needs.

Recently, Pace put out procedural list of steps for safe and proper crate engine start-up. First thing is safety; make sure the car is on the ground, the emergency brake is engaged, the wheels are chocked, and the transmission is free from falling into gear.

The next step is to check the oil level in the engine and prime the oil system before moving forward. Lubrication is key in all of this so be very meticulous and acute during this process since most likely, your engine has not been ran in a while.

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However, be sure that all of the lubrication fluid has drained back to the pan. Pace recommends a high-grade 10W-30 or 10W-40 oil for GM’s Performance Crate Engines since most engines stock utilize either 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil.

If you plan on running any form of synthetic oil, Pace recommends that a new engine should first be broken in with regular mineral type oil. Next, adjust the distributor timing by hand to get a quick start up and the smoothest idle possible.

Be sure to set the ignition timing after the engine starts up. The starting point for a majority of carbureted crate engines is 10 degrees before top dead center with the vacuum advance disconnected as computer controlled engines with a distributor are generally set at 0 degrees before top dead center with the set timing connector unplugged.

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Mind you, if you have a roller cam engine you don’t need to run the engine to break in the camshaft. Since the cooling system on a fresh motor swap will have pockets of trapped air, try filling the cooling system up with a 50/50 mix of quality coolant and water a few hours before planning to start the engine.

Be sure to leave the radiator cap off to help purge the trapped air. After the trapped air has been released, screw on the radiator cap and drive the vehicle at varying speeds and loads for the initial 30 miles. However, make sure not to smash on the gas or take the engine to a high RPM.

To help break the engine in further, Pace recommends running five or six medium-throttle accelerations to about 3,000 rpm (40-50 MPH), letting off in whichever gear you are in and coasting back down to 20 MPH.

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Follow up with a couple hard throttle accelerations to about 5,000 rpm (55-60 MPH), letting off the pedal and coasting back to 20 MPH once again. Proceed to let the engine cool, being sure to change the oil and filter, as well as check the coolant level, topping off if deemed necessary.

Finally, drive the next 500 miles normally without punching the gas too hard or putting stress on the engine. Following the 500 miles, change the oil and oil filter once again, and keep an eye on the oil level to make sure nothing is fluctuating or malfunctioning.

If you follow all of these steps correctly, Pace believes your engine will be ready for the cruises that lie ahead for the car that has the fresh new motor swapped in. For more advice and to see more of their products, check out Pace Performance’s website here.

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About the author

nicaguon

Nic Aguon is a graduate from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communications and holds a passion for sleek and unique automobiles. Serving as a Staff Writer for multiple publications at Power Automedia, Nic pledges to bring readers clean and concise storytelling that hits the nail right on the head. A jack of all trades, his interests range from imports to American muscle, hot rods, and Kustoms.
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