How does it feel when rings break-in?

[Blazer79]

I just rebuilt and stroked my 454 into a 489. Hopefully (after several fuel pump problems and going from mechanical to electric) tomorrow will be the second time I'll be using my Blazer. I've read some threads about how some people comment that their rings haven't "seated" yet. And some that "finally" feel them seat.

How does one tell when the rings have finally seated? Will I feel more power? Does the engine sound different? Or only with some sort of test?

 

[chicken joe]

all i can say is you will know.

i wish i could describe it but if you pay attention to your engine, you will even be able to hear it.

i think its magical, it gives me a sense of achievement.

 

[cuervo]

In all the engines I've built over the past 30 years I've never been able to physically tell when the rings have seated. On the other hand all the smoke that comes out of the exhaust when they don't seat after a couple hundred miles is easy to see.

 

[cybrfire]

Feels just like an unseated set of rings to me.

blue smoke should be less but its not digital. You'll see less smoke as they seat if you're watching for it.