new motor break in?

[53sparks]

This is my first post, i have learned a bunch reading this stuff thanks. My question is what procedure should i follow for start up and break in on my rebuilt sbc ? 350 bored 40 stock compression edelbrock performer cam cran roller rockers and timing gear drive i am running exhaust manifolds. I am concerned about rounding the cam lobes, any help would be great! thanks Ron

[Bowtie67]

With a new hydraulic cam during breakin it is recomended that you keep the rpms up to 2000rpms and keep it there for 20 minutes,

[hotrodhomi]

I like to fluctuate the rpms for 20 minutes keeping the revs above 2000

[53sparks]

just seeing if i can post a picture Ron

[matthufham]

has it been run ever? if not, build up the oil pressure by turning the gear on the cam for the distributor, then start it, keep it above 2000 or so as mentioned if it's a new cam with new lifters, while it's running check your fuel fittings and tighten things that may be loose if its not vibrating too much. then after the break in, set the timing, air to fuel ratio, and get the distributor in the right spot.

[53sparks]

it has never been run, how to do i prime the oil pump all assembled or turn the, do i pull the dist? thanks ron

[ratrod67]

Yes, you would pull the dist to pre-lube the motor. You can buy a tool made to do it or make one from an old dist you don't need anymore. You basically need the shaft and will use a drill to turn it to achieve pressure.

[70short/step]

You can pull the dist. and take the cam gear off of it and stick it back in and turn the rotor until oil is pumping thru the motor or they sell a oil pump primer you use the same way and hook it to a drill and turn it that way. If it was just assembled and you used plenty of lube you shoudn't have any problem. Good Luck!

[53sparks]

thanks guys that is very helpful, has any one ever posted pics from a mac and i photo ineed help?

[matthufham]

well you can take a picture from your hardrive when posting and add it as an attatchment.

go to new reply instead of using "quick reply" and then go below the text box and there's a button to click that says "manage attatchments" or something, and you can upload pics from your computer to the reply as an attatchment. the picture in that case would need to be under 100KB in size or under 640*480 in size, if not it won't work.

[Green Machine]

Go to your GM Dealer and get 2 cans of EOS (engine oil supplement) Add one can for intial startup and use another after you change oil. It has additives that will help the cam live untill it's well broken in.

[53sparks]

JUst trying another pic Ron

[53sparks]

well it looks like i got the picture thing figured out Thanks for all the help . So I should run the motor at about 2000rpm for 20 min before doing timing or any other tuning thanks ron

[jamesi20]

I always remove the inner valve springs before I start a newly rebuilt motor,whether it's bone stock or strictly racing.Have never trashed a cam.I also read somewhere the other day that a lot of the cam mfg. are recommending that you only use shell rotella diesel motor oil for break in because the epa regulations have taken a lot of the needed additives out of most of the motor oils sold today.