Thread: Camshaft Break In

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What is the proper way to break in a camshaft in a 454. I was looking at the new CompCams Thumper. I traded the engine for an 85 Volvo sedan, to my neighbor, who that the person that rebuilt it before, put an old cam in, without changing the bearings. Now there is a good deal of slop in the shaft. Also when he was running it he told me it was180 degrees out of time. That part I don't believe. But he said when he shut it down after a 20 mile run, the headers were glowing red. Any help will greatly appreciated. Thanks
TinLizard

Originally Posted by TinLizard

What is the proper way to break in a camshaft in a 454. I was looking at the new CompCams Thumper. I traded the engine for an 85 Volvo sedan, to my neighbor, who that the person that rebuilt it before, put an old cam in, without changing the bearings. Now there is a good deal of slop in the shaft. Also when he was running it he told me it was180 degrees out of time. That part I don't believe. But he said when he shut it down after a 20 mile run, the headers were glowing red. Any help will greatly appreciated. Thanks
TinLizard

Plenty of moly cam lube on the cam and plenty on the cam lobes.
A can of GM E.O.S. and a bottle of Comp. cams "break-in" lube added to your oil.
Start the engine run it up to 2,500 to 3,000 rpm's for 1/2 an hour changing the rpm's a little bit every few minutes to change the oil splash.
Dump the oil and filter after the break-in.
I would still add a bottle of GM E.O.S and Comp cams break-in oil for the second oil change after break-in.
Don't use syn. oil for break-in beacause the rings will have a hard time trying to seat.

After the cam is in and you are ready to start, pull the dist and pre lube using the pre oiler and a 1/2 '' electric drill. the hot headers sound like the timing is retarded, won't run 180 out.

Originally Posted by TinLizard

What is the proper way to break in a camshaft in a 454. I was looking at the new CompCams Thumper. I traded the engine for an 85 Volvo sedan, to my neighbor, who that the person that rebuilt it before, put an old cam in, without changing the bearings. Now there is a good deal of slop in the shaft. Also when he was running it he told me it was180 degrees out of time. That part I don't believe. But he said when he shut it down after a 20 mile run, the headers were glowing red. Any help will greatly appreciated. Thanks
TinLizard

The glowing red headers could also be a sign of a very lean engine.

Could be very lean or the timing way off.

....red headers usually timing way retarded