I'm wondering if there is a proper procedure to break in a new cam and heads? Do you break it in the same way you do a new engine? Thanks for the advice.

 

BK,

If the cam is for roller lifters, there is no real "break-in" period, since the lobes won't be polishing themselves to match the lifters. If you've installed a flat-tappet cam, you'll need to start the engine and keep the RPMs up to around 1,800-2,200 for the first twenty minutes to encourage this final polishing. If you did install a flat-tappet cam, you should have used plenty of moly break-in lube on the lobes, right? And if you did install a flat-tappet cam, you should use mineral oil for break-in (NOT synthetic).

Heads generally require no break-in, either. Just make certain you use ample assembly lube when you button up the engine bits and pieces. I like to fully bathe the valve stems with a pump oiler, fill the rocker pivot areas, and fill the pushrods with oil as I assemble. If you've installed new lifters, it's a good idea to soak them in clean engine oil overnight to dispel all air before dropping them in their bores.

As always, change the oil and oil filter after the first few hours os run-in, to insure a good supply of clean oil to the fresh engine. This is especially important with a flat cam, since the moly particles from the cam assembly lube have already done their job and can cause problems with lifters in the long term.

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Later,
Vader
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[This message has been edited by Vader (edited September 19, 2000).]

 

Thanks Vader, I had a roller cam installed but I was just curious since the box said something about break in time.