[chiphead]

I tend to err on the side of caution.

I run a fresh motor easy for the first 500 miles. This should seat any troublesome rings, etc. My thinking is that if a new engine is going to come apart, maybe I could catch it and shut it down at low speed before it scatters. I did this once with a 235 six in a Bel Air. I lost the oil pump at low speed, and was able to cut it off and save the engine from serious damage.

But if the engine is healthy, you should be able to hammer it within reason. A sick motor will come apart either way, but if you're cruising you can shut if off. If you're in the middle of first with the tires smoking, you wont notice the gauges until the crankshaft is re-entering earth's atmosphere at a high rate of speed. And you're first thought is: " Where did that hole in my hood come from?"

good luck

chip