Thread: Break in

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Hey I got a stock 390FE that i put edelbroke intake, cam and a 650 holley street avenger. I have heard everything from running the engine flatout for 10 minutes to just running it like normal, how do u normaly break in a cam.

Regardless of how we do it, didn't you get instructions from Edelbrock?

Assuming you didn't, and assuming it isn't a roller cam, here's what they say (at the bottom of page 2).

Performer Plus Cam
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_.../2000/2106.pdf

Performer RPM Cam
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_.../7000/7106.pdf

BTW, either of the two ways you mentioned will trash your engine. That's why you don't listen to what you've "heard." Listen to what the manufacturer tells you.

With a flat tappet cam, the first few seconds are crucial. I like to set the idle speed up a few turns before initial fire up, and run it at 2000 rpm for a few minutes. Be sure to have the engine all ready for running, topped up with coolant and oil, so it starts right up and runs good. I realise this doesn't always go as planned, but any time I've screwed up and had to monkey with one to get it to keep running, the new cam hasn't lived long.

I just broke my new cam in,there is a thread in here with video.
I primed the engine with a drill first,made sure I had 2 bottles of eos and plenty of water and oil.I highly recomend a bypass line installed or high end thermostat with the little hole in it to prevent airlock.I brought the engine up to 2 to 3000 rpms for approx 25 mins and all seems well soo far.

There are some good articles on the web,try google or yahoo search and read as many as you can first,you can fry the whole engine doing this .....not just the cam or lifters.
Read alot and understand fully what you are about to do and you should have no problems and above all ,follow the manufactures instructions and advice....

I have also learned that it is best to use Rotella-T oil for the breakin process. The new oils on the market don't have the protection that they once had.

I have used this process changed the oil after 600 miles again at 3000 miles and after 6000 miles changed to synthetic oil. This is only my opinion, but it has worked for me.

Each person has their own opinion on what oil to use and when to change it.

Frank

Originally Posted by countilaw

I have also learned that it is best to use Rotella-T oil for the breakin process. The new oils on the market don't have the protection that they once had.

My thoughts exactly. GM makes a good product for an oil supplement that a lot of guys use for break in on a flat tappet cam. I use Rotella-T all the time for my flat tappet cam'd engines. If Rotella isn't available, Chevron Delo-400 is my next choice.

a trick i learned to break in the motor and keep it cool (because during break in it tends to run much hotter) you open up your radiator drain valve just a hair and fill her up on pure water, once its full, leave a garden hose running just a little more water than the drain valve is running so you'll be trickling a little over the top of the radiator, it keeps a cooler supply of water to the engine.... makes them seem to break in just a little smoother IMO