Controversial Breakin Recommendation
 

Bottom line this fella says on modern engines with fine hones and very tight tolerances, the way to seat the rings very well is to run it hard early, not baby it. He explains more and gives detailed recommendations on procedures here:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

That is more or less how I want my motor broken in... I have heard from many sources that high RPM when the motor is being run for the first few times is extremely important for a proper ring seal, and if it is not done then the motor will be plagued by compression and oil consumption issues until it gets a re-ring.

Seems to make sense. I know when I built the engine in the Cobra I took it easy for the first 500 miles and then took it to the dyno. It was 800 miles before I quit smelling oil burning.

This has implications for the Snake as it has new rings, but a rough hone. I wonder which is best? Especially if we're blowing it to boot. Fortunately, we have time to contemplate this question. ;)

I've read that. I think break in procedure is overrated. If you're breaking in a flat tappet cam, follow the rev procedure to avoid wiping a lobe. But as long as a roller motor is built properly, the rings probably break in once the motor gets up to operating temp.

I think people that have issues with break in, have issues with how the cylinder walls were finished, or ring install issues.

I would agree with not using synthetic oil though. I think it works too good and doesn't allow the rings enough friction to seat properly. I had less oil consumption with my current set of rings and I broke them in with organic. Last set I broke in with Mobil 1.

Every engine my father and I have ever built have always been ran HARD right after they were done. I mean start it, let it run for a few minutes, change oil then go do a massive burnout or take it to the track or something, never had an issue.

That's the same with my dad. When we built the 396 in the Chevelle back when I was in high school the first thing after breaking in the cam he took it up the street and left a 300ft burnout. That engine had well over 200,000 miles on it when I pulled it out and I used to race it every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for about 3 years.

I babied ONE engine and it just never ran as hard as the other we would beat the shit out of, something just seemed "off" about it

Ya thats the way my motor was broken in.