[FirestormFRS]

Originally Posted by Red John

THIS ^^^

Improper break in procedure to blame?

I disagree with the owners manual recommended break in procedure, My opinion it leaves an important step undone.

Although I am new here, this isn't my first Rodeo.

I've built quite a few engines, mostly high horsepower with stock and aftermarket components.

I installed chromoly (hard) rings a few times before giving up on them after having repeated problems getting them to seat.

I am careful now to select rings that are cast iron composition, usually the top ring with a chrome surface.

When cylinder walls are new, they have a cross hatch texture that is produced by the final honing operation. The purpose of the final hone is to fine tune the cylinder size and to produce the cross hatch finish.
The function of the cross hatch finish (which disappears/wears away as the engine breaks in) is to abrade the edges of the top and second rings, this is what is referred to as "seating" these rings.

When a new engine with solid base (not roller cam) lifters is started, it must be run for a period of time (about 20 minutes at 2000 rpm) to break in the cam and lifters.
With roller cam setups and roller cam followers this step is not required, but a new engine must be run for a few minutes to run the builder/factory quality control procedures.
Nonetheless, Neither one of these break in procedures is performed with the engine under load.

The break in procedure for piston rings in a new engine is as follows. Take the vehicle on a section of straight road and perform a strong acceleration in a lower gear, 2nd is usually good, lots of torque usually available. At the top of your strong acceleration, allow engine braking to slow the vehicle down to where you would shift to a lower gear. Do this 2-4 times and then proceed with the gentle factory break in procedure. I would say that RPMs at the top end of your strong acceleration runs should reach 5000 on the Tach in this 7450 Redline engine. It won't hurt your engine one bit, Rather it will take advantage of the cross hatch finish's intended function while it is still new and not worn away yet.

ask me about new ring and pinion break in.

Wrong. The cross hatch machined into the cylinder is there for the oil to have something to cling to during the pistons stroke. A smooth bore cylinder with no cross hatch will cause the rings to wear prematurely due to no oil being on the cylinder wall during the pistons stroke.