Broke my engine in, it was too lean (vacuum leak)any damage?

Broke in my rebuild 383 with a 650 Edelbrock. It ran a little warm during break-in but never actually overheated, it was close though. I noticed today that the rear plug wasn't in the carb so I had a large vacuum leak. Did I do any short-term/long-term damage breaking it in that lean??

Probably not.

Better lean than rich. If the plug was out of the carb then all cyl had the same mixture, which is good. It did not overheat so it is probably fine.

Not a problem, no different than having a PCV hooked up...

it likely will be buggin you till you get something concrete to wrap your mind around. I'd pull the plug to replicate it again & shoot the ex manifolds & see how hot they get (just me my OCD would not be at peace till I did SOMETHING!)

motor wasnt under load, youre probably ok

The real question is did you go out and do a big burn out yet?

It IS different from having a PCV valve hooked up, the valve closes at high vacuum, an open hole doesn't.

I'd just run the thing.

BUT, if your OCD is at the same level as Blazin' Bob's, I'd recommend a compression check. The extra heat usually affects the exhaust valve first. So if the exhaust valve seals, everything else should be good.

No worries.

R.

What Dog said, I'd do a compression test (& a leakdown test) just to have some numbers for a future reference baseline (& the C test would give you a DCR indicator)

True but it shouldnt close all the way... I get your point. So his leak is a little bigger. Bottom line is he has nothing to worry about. Don't let Moparts scare you. I'm surprised someone hasn't already recommended taking it back apart...

Yeah really, and convert to a volt meter, mini starter, electronic ignition, 11X3 rear brakes, etc. LOL.

The engine will be fine, washing it down with too rich a mixture is what causes problems, especially on a new engine.

If it ain't broke don't fix it and don't go looking for trouble if it isd running good and has no outward sign of damage.

Thanks for the help guys. I was hoping I was OK.

Sounds like a few of you are like me (OCD) and would to be able to PROVE nothing is wrong. I think I will try and put my mind to rest and just drive the stupid thing.

Holler how that works for you!

Compression&leak-down ends the speculation...


'Know' trumps 'wonder'...

Once I forgot to fill up the antifreeze before an engine fire up... wasn't empty, but the gauge pegged, didn't hurt a thing.

Should run straight water at first, verify no leaks, then install anitfreeze that first day.

Puh-lease.

Just check the plugs and call it a day.

I did something similar, maybe even worse when I broke in my 440 a few years ago. One of the plugs in my Edelbrock Performer RPM was missing and I didn't catch it. After fixing it, I decided to just run it and not look back. 100 1/8 miles passes later, it's still going strong.