I need a measurement.

[Kleetus]

I think my dealer said give it 1000 or 1500 before you start really working it. Personaly I'd go at least 5k. Everything from the front bumper to the tail lights is tight. When I changed my oil the first time at 3k, I found metal shavings on the magnetic drain plug. That's what it's there for. Not big pieces, but almost as though you used a file on a block of steel.

Not uncommon on a brand new engine. But by working the engine harder against itself, tranny, wheel bearings, rear end, all the u joints you will be generating a lot more heat. More heat with conventional oil generally means thinner oil. Not that 2200 pounds is a lot by any means, but for brand new, I'd at least let it settle in.

Go the next route. Go buy a pair of work boots. Now go walk 5 miles in them right now. Think you'll be hurting when and if you are done? Wear them for short walks here and there for a week or so, and I'll bet you'll be a lot more comfortable. See my point?

If it's life or death, yeah have at it. If it won't kill you to wait a month, put some miles on it, change the oil and then go at it.

Sorry for the book!

 

[bushpilot]

The ajustable ball hitch looks great. I think I will get the 12,000 lb. one though, for the extra safety of a higher weight rating. The adjustable one is rated at 10,000 pounds maximum.

are you saying youre gonna put a 10k lb load on a 7k lb trailer ???
i hope not !

reality is the adjustable rapid hitch was tested & rated to 14k lbs...
heres the test results/document to prove it. CERTIFICATION-DOC LINK

 

[Maxtor]

Good point about towing on a fresh engine. My trailer is rated at 10,000 lbs. Tractor and trailer weigh 10,050 lbs. The extra 50 pounds has not hurt it in over six years. I check and repack bearings yearly and they allways look fresh and clean. I am an old Ford FE engine guru, and I find it very unusual for any new engine to have metal shavings in the oil pan. That would worry me. When I build a 427 or 428 engine, I allways fire it up and check the timing, then shut it off, and drain the fresh oil. Then refill it, and engine is good to go for 3000 miles. No metal shavings.... Good luck on your engine.

 

[draftlover]

Good point about towing on a fresh engine. My trailer is rated at 10,000 lbs. Tractor and trailer weigh 10,050 lbs. The extra 50 pounds has not hurt it in over six years. I check and repack bearings yearly and they allways look fresh and clean. I am an old Ford FE engine guru, and I find it very unusual for any new engine to have metal shavings in the oil pan. That would worry me. When I build a 427 or 428 engine, I allways fire it up and check the timing, then shut it off, and drain the fresh oil. Then refill it, and engine is good to go for 3000 miles. No metal shavings.... Good luck on your engine.

The Ford book says you only have to put 500 miles before towing. I put 650 miles on mine and then towed 12,000 lbs 1000 miles at 75 to 80 mph in two days. No problem.

 

[Kleetus]

You NEVER found any metal in a fresh motor? I'm not talking a lot, maybe, the amount of stuff you could fit in the fingernail of your pinky finger. A buddy of mine has some 390's that he runs in work trucks, and I've been scared by the things that fell out on an oil change, only to have the motor run another 20 or 30 k before it started to get lazy. It's amazing what they will put up with.

 

[Maxtor]

Metal shavings

As an engine gets older, some bushing wear is normal. On a new or freshly rebuilt engine, you should not get any metal shavings in the oil pan. If you dry start an engine, you might find something, but any good engine builder will pre-oil the engine before starting it. By pre-oiling the engine I mean to use a drill to turn the oil pump so that the oil is pressurized throughout the engine. I replace the oil after tuning because of any lint, or dust that might have gotten into the engine before sealing it up.