01-07-2006, 06:34 PM
Doc, congrats on the new truck. There are a few different theories on "Cold Weather Break-in". Lately, the weather hasn't been TOO cold, so you should be able to break it in. Colder air is more dense, which means you usually need to run a little richer fuel mixture than usual. I'm sure if I am wrong on this, someone will correct me, or add in their opinion.
I would say, check the owners manual for the recommended fuel mixture settings. Check to make sure the needles are set accordingly. If you have a Temp guage, make sure you bring it with. Break the engine in as the book says, but through the first tank, keep and eye on your temps. If it seems like the engine is running excessively cool (under 170*), you may need to wrap the cooling head. Take an old sock, and cut off the top part, about 2-3 times longer than the height of the cooilng head. Put the Sock around the cooling head, folded over, so it is 2 layers thick. This will help trap some of the heat that the cooling head is pulling from the engine. Continue with the books instructions, but keep an eye on the temps through the break in. A good thing to get used to, ESPECIALLY in cooler weather, is to make sure the piston is at the bottom of the cylinder while the engine is cooling. When you shut down the engine, just give the flywheel a small turn. If it turns freely, it is at the lower part of the rotation, which is good. If it is tight, slowly turn it till you feel no resistance. This keeps the sleeve from contracting onto the piston, and causing premature wear.
I would say, check the owners manual for the recommended fuel mixture settings. Check to make sure the needles are set accordingly. If you have a Temp guage, make sure you bring it with. Break the engine in as the book says, but through the first tank, keep and eye on your temps. If it seems like the engine is running excessively cool (under 170*), you may need to wrap the cooling head. Take an old sock, and cut off the top part, about 2-3 times longer than the height of the cooilng head. Put the Sock around the cooling head, folded over, so it is 2 layers thick. This will help trap some of the heat that the cooling head is pulling from the engine. Continue with the books instructions, but keep an eye on the temps through the break in. A good thing to get used to, ESPECIALLY in cooler weather, is to make sure the piston is at the bottom of the cylinder while the engine is cooling. When you shut down the engine, just give the flywheel a small turn. If it turns freely, it is at the lower part of the rotation, which is good. If it is tight, slowly turn it till you feel no resistance. This keeps the sleeve from contracting onto the piston, and causing premature wear.