cam break in procedure - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69heavychevy · 03-11-2008, 08:50 AM

i just purchased a cam from comp cams. in the instructions for the cam break in it says to remove the inner spring from the new valve springs while you break it in. i was just wondering if this is necessary, just wondering whats has been your experience with this. absolutely necessary, or not really?

**'70_402** · 03-11-2008, 08:59 AM

you can if you want... but unless your running huge lift on that cam with a ton (and i mean a ton) of seat pressure then i might be a good idea... it's just a pain in the a$$

ProStreet68SB · 03-11-2008, 09:29 AM

yes you should remove the springs, or you'll wipe your cam even if you have the right oil and do it all right.

suville · 03-11-2008, 09:45 AM

On new cam breakin spring pressure is very detrimental, and you want to use the breakin lube they send or reccmend, make sure the oil you use is formulated for flat tappet cams most oils have had the zink (VERY NECESSARY) removed as it cloggs the cats on the new stuff, and DONT use synthetic. You will want to double check everything before you start the engine, once you start the engine it is imperative to maintain at least 2000 RPM 25 is ok for 20-25 min. DO NOT LET IT IDLE or you will wipe the lobes off! There is a web site called " Bob is the oil guy" you will find very good info over there! Hope this info is of some help to ya! OH after the 20-25 min runin shut er off let it cool reassemble the heads with the spring pack and ROAD TEST !

jott_06 · 03-11-2008, 03:30 PM

It may be a good idea but i wouldnt say it is necessary. Out of the motors i've built for my camaro over the years i have never removed the inner springs and i've never wiped out a cam. Just use lots of assembly lube and do the normal break in of 2000 RPM's and it should be fine.

jamon8 · 03-11-2008, 06:08 PM

use some rottella and some cam break in lube

clif1968 · 03-11-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jott_06

It may be a good idea but i wouldnt say it is necessary. Out of the motors i've built for my camaro over the years i have never removed the inner springs and i've never wiped out a cam. Just use lots of assembly lube and do the normal break in of 2000 RPM's and it should be fine.

+ I only use Rottella for anything with a flat tappet cam these days

highrpm · 03-11-2008, 09:32 PM

Make sure you dont crank the engine alot without it starting, that is what I have seen to be the biggest killer of cam lobes.
It wipes all of the lube off and theres not enough oil splashing on the cam.

*Billla* · 03-11-2008, 10:18 PM

You have to decide in this case if you're smarter than the engineers that designed the cam...or just lazy

The first 20 minutes of a cam's life are critical. Yeah, it's a pain to change the springs on the car, but with the new tools it's a couple of hours work. Doing a cam swap in the car is going to be more expensive, take more time...and of course you've got all those filings running around.

Your call.

FYI, I always add a pint of EOS.

wibilly · 03-12-2008, 07:13 AM

do you think GM done it with the billions they assembled ?

*Billla* · 03-12-2008, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wibilly

do you think GM done it with the billions they assembled ?

Can you identify the engines made by GM stock with dual springs?

suville · 03-12-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billla

Can you identify the engines made by GM stock with dual springs?

Good point GM didnt use spring packs with the pressure some spring manuf. provide and when GM did release HP packages we still had the old formulation oils and ALL GM engines of that era were were flat tappet cams as opposed to roller! To clarify if you are planning on using a high spring rate more consideration is necessary if your spring pack is within lesser parameters you can probably get by ok BUT with the cost of things these days I wouldnt take the gamble!

straitnate14 · 03-12-2008, 08:24 AM

could you use royal purple on a flat tappet?

**'70_402** · 03-12-2008, 08:57 AM

like said before i would not use synthetic... i only use rotella and on break in i use a ton of moly lube and before i put the intake on i pour a bottle of lucas oil stabil on the cam and lifters.. then start within the next few days..

69heavychevy · 03-12-2008, 09:49 AM

the cam i bought has a intake list of .447/exh .454. duration 212/218. not too radical in my opinion. about the rotella,i remember reading here that they too had taken the zinc out of there oil. what weight oil do you guys recommend. ill probably decide last minute on the spring dilema.

03-11-2008, 08:50 AM	#1
69heavychevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Garland,TX Posts: 431	cam break in procedure i just purchased a cam from comp cams. in the instructions for the cam break in it says to remove the inner spring from the new valve springs while you break it in. i was just wondering if this is necessary, just wondering whats has been your experience with this. absolutely necessary, or not really?

03-11-2008, 08:59 AM	#2
'70_402 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Pampa, Texas Posts: 1,554	Re: cam break in procedure you can if you want... but unless your running huge lift on that cam with a ton (and i mean a ton) of seat pressure then i might be a good idea... it's just a pain in the a$$ __________________ https://www.ebay.com/itm/295742064443

03-11-2008, 09:29 AM	#3
ProStreet68SB The Engine Whisperer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 770	Re: cam break in procedure yes you should remove the springs, or you'll wipe your cam even if you have the right oil and do it all right.

03-11-2008, 09:45 AM	#4
suville Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mtn. Home, Idaho Posts: 906	Re: cam break in procedure On new cam breakin spring pressure is very detrimental, and you want to use the breakin lube they send or reccmend, make sure the oil you use is formulated for flat tappet cams most oils have had the zink (VERY NECESSARY) removed as it cloggs the cats on the new stuff, and DONT use synthetic. You will want to double check everything before you start the engine, once you start the engine it is imperative to maintain at least 2000 RPM 25 is ok for 20-25 min. DO NOT LET IT IDLE or you will wipe the lobes off! There is a web site called " Bob is the oil guy" you will find very good info over there! Hope this info is of some help to ya! OH after the 20-25 min runin shut er off let it cool reassemble the heads with the spring pack and ROAD TEST !

03-11-2008, 03:30 PM	#5
jott_06 Camaro Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 472	Re: cam break in procedure It may be a good idea but i wouldnt say it is necessary. Out of the motors i've built for my camaro over the years i have never removed the inner springs and i've never wiped out a cam. Just use lots of assembly lube and do the normal break in of 2000 RPM's and it should be fine.

03-11-2008, 06:08 PM	#6
jamon8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: southern Il Posts: 335	Re: cam break in procedure use some rottella and some cam break in lube

03-11-2008, 09:32 PM	#8
highrpm Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Davidson, NC Posts: 269	Re: cam break in procedure Make sure you dont crank the engine alot without it starting, that is what I have seen to be the biggest killer of cam lobes. It wipes all of the lube off and theres not enough oil splashing on the cam. Last edited by highrpm; 03-11-2008 at 09:33 PM. Reason: forgot something

03-11-2008, 10:18 PM	#9
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: cam break in procedure You have to decide in this case if you're smarter than the engineers that designed the cam...or just lazy The first 20 minutes of a cam's life are critical. Yeah, it's a pain to change the springs on the car, but with the new tools it's a couple of hours work. Doing a cam swap in the car is going to be more expensive, take more time...and of course you've got all those filings running around. Your call. FYI, I always add a pint of EOS.

03-12-2008, 07:13 AM	#10
wibilly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: northwestern wi Posts: 2,111	Re: cam break in procedure do you think GM done it with the billions they assembled ? __________________ common sense isn't so common anymore

03-12-2008, 08:24 AM	#13
straitnate14 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bartonville IL Posts: 415	Re: cam break in procedure could you use royal purple on a flat tappet? __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

03-12-2008, 08:57 AM	#14
'70_402 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Pampa, Texas Posts: 1,554	Re: cam break in procedure like said before i would not use synthetic... i only use rotella and on break in i use a ton of moly lube and before i put the intake on i pour a bottle of lucas oil stabil on the cam and lifters.. then start within the next few days.. __________________ https://www.ebay.com/itm/295742064443

03-12-2008, 09:49 AM	#15
69heavychevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Garland,TX Posts: 431	Re: cam break in procedure the cam i bought has a intake list of .447/exh .454. duration 212/218. not too radical in my opinion. about the rotella,i remember reading here that they too had taken the zinc out of there oil. what weight oil do you guys recommend. ill probably decide last minute on the spring dilema.



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