What you can't see can hurt you
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What you can't see can hurt you
Thought this link would be interesting reading:
What You Can’t See Can Hurt Your Camshaft
A human hair is about 80 microns thick, and the smallest particle you can see is about 40 microns. That seems pretty small. Can something that small really cause engine problems? “Clearance size” particles do the most engine damage. They are small enough to get into the space just ahead of the cam lobe and lifter contact area. Small particles can get between the roller and the axle on a roller lifter. Even worse, hard particles can score the bore of the plunger in hydraulic lifters and this can cause them to bleed down. This can also lead to lifter rattle on start up. In any case, cams and followers (both flat tappet and roller) need to be properly cleaned and lubricated prior to installation and break-in. Here are a few practical steps you can take during the assembly and initial break-in of an engine to rid yourself of these unseen assassins:
1) A foaming degreaser is recommended to lift the greasy film from the part. This film seals out moisture and keeps it from reaching the surface of the parts, but it also traps fine particulate. You don’t want an abrasive slurry working on your flat tappet lifters, so make sure the metal surfaces have been degreased before you apply break-in lubricant.
2) Break-in oil or assembly lube establishes an anti-wear film in your engine, the foundation for lasting protection. After cleaning the camshaft, dip it in the break-in oil. Next, clean the lifters and dip them in break-in oil. For hydraulic lifters, allow them to soak for several hours on their sides with the oil hole pointed up. For flat tappet lifters, apply engine assembly grease to the foot of the lifters prior to installation. It is better to get an extra coat of primer than to leave a few spots thin.
3) A production car oil filter has a finer micron rating than a racing filter. For example, a WIX 51061 small block Chevy stock replacement filter has a nominal micron rating of 21 with a GPM flow rate of 11. A WIX 51061R racing filter has a nominal micron rating of 61 and a flow rate of 28 GPM. WIX even offers a specific break-in filter for dry sump systems.
4) It is critical to have a supply of oil to the cam and lifters at initial start up, so the oil system must be primed to avoid a dry start.
5) Do not idle the engine. Upon start up, bring the engine up to 2,500 rpm. Vary the speed of the engine by a few hundred rpms for 20 to 30 minutes.
6) After the initial break-in, change the oil filter. Doing this will remove all the larger particles that could cause problems. For a racing engine, you now need a high flow rate filter when you start making dyno runs or go to the race track.
7) Change the oil. Most of the wear metals created in an engine's life will occur during the first one hour of operation. While everyone hates to throw away something that looks perfectly good, it is cheap insurance to change the oil after initial break-in.
Editors Note: Preferred priming methods were discussed in last month’s camshaft break-in article.
Technical Department
Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil
Huntersville, NC
What You Can’t See Can Hurt Your Camshaft
A human hair is about 80 microns thick, and the smallest particle you can see is about 40 microns. That seems pretty small. Can something that small really cause engine problems? “Clearance size” particles do the most engine damage. They are small enough to get into the space just ahead of the cam lobe and lifter contact area. Small particles can get between the roller and the axle on a roller lifter. Even worse, hard particles can score the bore of the plunger in hydraulic lifters and this can cause them to bleed down. This can also lead to lifter rattle on start up. In any case, cams and followers (both flat tappet and roller) need to be properly cleaned and lubricated prior to installation and break-in. Here are a few practical steps you can take during the assembly and initial break-in of an engine to rid yourself of these unseen assassins:
1) A foaming degreaser is recommended to lift the greasy film from the part. This film seals out moisture and keeps it from reaching the surface of the parts, but it also traps fine particulate. You don’t want an abrasive slurry working on your flat tappet lifters, so make sure the metal surfaces have been degreased before you apply break-in lubricant.
2) Break-in oil or assembly lube establishes an anti-wear film in your engine, the foundation for lasting protection. After cleaning the camshaft, dip it in the break-in oil. Next, clean the lifters and dip them in break-in oil. For hydraulic lifters, allow them to soak for several hours on their sides with the oil hole pointed up. For flat tappet lifters, apply engine assembly grease to the foot of the lifters prior to installation. It is better to get an extra coat of primer than to leave a few spots thin.
3) A production car oil filter has a finer micron rating than a racing filter. For example, a WIX 51061 small block Chevy stock replacement filter has a nominal micron rating of 21 with a GPM flow rate of 11. A WIX 51061R racing filter has a nominal micron rating of 61 and a flow rate of 28 GPM. WIX even offers a specific break-in filter for dry sump systems.
4) It is critical to have a supply of oil to the cam and lifters at initial start up, so the oil system must be primed to avoid a dry start.
5) Do not idle the engine. Upon start up, bring the engine up to 2,500 rpm. Vary the speed of the engine by a few hundred rpms for 20 to 30 minutes.
6) After the initial break-in, change the oil filter. Doing this will remove all the larger particles that could cause problems. For a racing engine, you now need a high flow rate filter when you start making dyno runs or go to the race track.
7) Change the oil. Most of the wear metals created in an engine's life will occur during the first one hour of operation. While everyone hates to throw away something that looks perfectly good, it is cheap insurance to change the oil after initial break-in.
Editors Note: Preferred priming methods were discussed in last month’s camshaft break-in article.
Technical Department
Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil
Huntersville, NC
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