Just bought a goodwrench 350 for the farm truck.Before anyone tells me,I know it's a dog,etc.But it will do a fine job of hauling wood,fuel,and haybales.
My question is,is the cam broke in,or do I need to take all the precautions of any other new engine?
This is my first go around with a crate engine,I have always built my own,but at $1500 shipped,I couldn't afford not to go crate on this one.

 

if the cam is flat tappet, which i believe it is. my dad put one in his 71 nova years ago. it wasnt the fastest thing, thats for sure. but his was the 290hp one

just looked in the jegs catalog. it IS flat tappet, you will need to break it in. good luck

 

Google it, I do 2800 rpm for 15-20 min. Just dont let it idle for a long time on first startup b/c the crank is what throws the oil on the cam and if it isnt revving its not throwing oil on it.

If its a roller motor ( i dout it at that price) no cam breakin is needed.

 

Also make sure you have some decent cam break in oil.

 

Whatever the paperwork that comes with says to do, DO THAT.

Pay as little attention as possible to Internet noise. Unless of course, the Internet is taking care of your warranty... which is doubtful at best.

 

It came with no paperwork that states anything about break-in.
I guess I'm a simple thinker,but if I sold engines,with flat tappet cams in mass quanity,I believe I'd have a 5hp electric motor on hand,with fixturing to attach to said motor.I can't help but feel that 3450 RPM,at no load,with oil would be a great starting point.

Looks like I'll treat this the same as every flat tappet engine I've built in the last several years,Valvoline VR-1 oil,and Comp Cams break in additive.

 

I use rotella t and open up the throttle for a while, i have done this on all the engines i have built. But what do i know i only have 200 posts and that means i know nothing..

 

I love rotella T advance autoparts has it in 10w-30 and I usually get that. They also have lucas zddp additive when is good to know where I can get it local.

 

When I installed my ZZ3 I changed the oil after the first 20 minutes, then again after the first 500 miles. I spilled out the oil to look for anything that looked like pieces of motor. If your really ****, you can get an oil filter cutter to look into the filter.

 

Engine is in and in service.I used 20W50 Valvoline VR1,and I gave the Lucas break in additive a try.I still wish I had an answer as to whether or not these engines actually require break in,or if they were pre-ran,but that remains a mystery.
On an un-related note,I have to say that as far as power gos,these engines get a bad rap.It is much stronger than the 84 model stock 350 that it replaced.If I were searching for a high performance engine,this wouldn't be my choice,but as far as a good replacement,I have to say that $1500 for a brand new engine made up of all new parts,and with a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty is a tough deal to beat.