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I have broken in two completly rebuilt Ford tractor engines - a 1948 8N and a 1954 NAA, and I did them both the same way: Start it up for the first time and let it idle. Adjust timing and carb. Open the radiator cap and watch for bubbles (some will work its way through just from air in the water jacket - you are looking for constant bubbling). Let it get just up to temprature and shut it down if you hear any strange noises. Retorque the head bolts and let it cool down. Start it a second time - let it idle for a few minutes, then rev to mid throttle for a few minutes, then back to idle, then to full rev for a few minutes. Make any additional adjustments to the timing or carb and once again watch for bubbling in the radiator. Let it run for about 15 - 20 minutes varying the RPMS fairly constantly, then shut it down and retorque the head bolts to spec again. Let it cool down. Change the oil and filter. Now take it for a spin, adjusting the RPMs and run it in all the gears. Put it in 4th gear, mid RPMs, and apply both brakes to put a load on the engine and lug it a bit (YES - I said lug it a bit). This additional pressure will help seat the rings. Shut it down, check the head bolts one last time and if all the adjustments are fine and it is running good - your rebuild and break in is complete. Both of my engines are running strong with no problems following this break in proceedure Now go out and use it like you plan to - an old mechanic once told me "Break it in like you plan on using it". That philosophy has not hurt me yet. Good luck,
Dan
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