new camshaft

[dawnovsky]

hi everyone,

I will replace my camshaft soon, as i did the mistake to replace my lifter during head swap.
One of the new is definitly not spinning, probably due to lack of lubrication during initial breaking (in other word lac of propoer initial breaking)
i would appreciate any advice anout new camshaft installation on my 66 mustang (with 250-2v head over 200 block)
oil viscosity ? zddp after inital breaking ? any installation tips ?? proposer breakin procedure ?
etc etc


best regards

 

[First Fox]

Hi, A few things to remember for a successful cam break-in:

Apply assembly lube to lobes and lifters.

Check and double check distributor timing and carb settings so the engine starts right away. If the engine has to crank for 3 minutes before it fires, you can guarantee the assembly lube will be wiped away before the cam and lifters receives any oil and you will likely have problems.

When the engine fires and you are sure there are no leaks or other problems, set the fast idle and allow the engine to run at a fast idle; 1500 rpm or better, to assure there is good amount of oil to the cam for things to break in. You should maintain this engine speed for 15-30 minutes. It is likely the engine will run hot at that engine speed, and with the car stationary, so have a nice big fan to blow through the radiator during this process. I use an old squirrel cage fan from a home furnace that someone threw out. It moves some major air and was free.

No synthetic oil during break in! You can use conventional based break-in oil, which is kind of pricey, or you can break it in with what ever brand of oil you usually run, (again not synthetic), just add a bottle of cam break-in additive. I think all the major cam companies sell there own brand and I am sure it is all good.

After break in and for subsequent oil changes just keep a good quality oil in it with a decent level of zinc. You will have to do some homework and ask around locally to see what oils are available in your neck of the woods that have high zinc content. In the US, and for me personally, I find that diesel oils are readily available, inexpensive and have high zinc content.

Good luck to you.

 

[Gene Fiore]

First Fox nailed it on the proper technique. Also if you find you are about to overheat during the break in process you can shut things down and wait for it to cool off...then resume the break in until you reach 20 to 30 minutes of break in time. I used Brad Penn break in oil from classicinlines.