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

BR3W CITY · 10-06-2010, 12:00 PM

Just finished the first part of my cam install last night. I'm running a TSP Tsunami Cam (ground off of a Comp stick), and PRC dual valve springs with hardened push rods.
In the comp instructions it says to remove the inner valve spring and run the motor at 20min @ 2000rpm. I was checking on Ls1tech and they say that the hydraulic lifter engines don't require breakin like the flat tappets of old.

Anyone done dual springs, and if so, what break in (if any) did you undertake?

85burb · 10-06-2010, 10:58 PM

Sorry dont have answer but i also would like to know. Will be watching this.

Super73 · 10-07-2010, 12:46 AM

Fire it up, let it idle (if it can) and let it get to operating temp. Let it idle for 5 or so minutes at opperating temp. Do this 2-3 times letting it cool down real well. Then go play with it.. You don't need to "break in" a roller cam, but it is always good to heat cycle the valve springs a few times before beating on them!!

BR3W CITY · 10-07-2010, 08:52 AM

any opinion on the part about removing the inner spring first? Or is that part of the old-style breakin that I don't need to worry about.

Super73 · 10-07-2010, 05:15 PM

Just curious, what springs are you running..

I have never removed the inner spring, both springs need to be heat cycled. But I don't just fire it up and beet the snot out of it either.. Well, I do after it's heat cycled a few times and I make sure fuids all jive ect..

BR3W CITY · 10-07-2010, 05:48 PM

PRC dual springs, good to .660 lift

Tim240Z · 10-07-2010, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

any opinion on the part about removing the inner spring first? Or is that part of the old-style breakin that I don't need to worry about.

I believe that is a reference to breaking in a flat tappet cam, not a roller. The idea behind it is to allow the followers to break into the cam without excess pressure.

BR3W CITY · 10-08-2010, 08:50 AM

ohh, that makes sense I suppose. Good, this saves me a step.

Wasted Income · 10-12-2010, 05:53 PM

I have the same springs in my LQ4 powered boat. I just put them in and ran the hell out of it. I never really heat cycled them other than starting it in the driveway a few times while tweaking my tune...then I went out and beat the piss out of it all summer.

No worries. Go run it!!

Super73 · 10-13-2010, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

I never really heat cycled them other than starting it in the driveway a few times while tweaking my tune...

That would constitute for heat cycling them. If you did a few cold/cool starts to full running temp, that's a heat cycle.

BR3W CITY · 10-13-2010, 08:33 AM

thanks for the advice guys. Just waiting to grab my spring tool this week and throw them bad boys in . Pretty much the last step before I can reassemble and start to get this bastard back in the truck.

Shon · 10-13-2010, 08:46 AM

What valve spring tool you going to use?
The old SBC tools will not work, you will want to get a LSx specific tool.
there are a few on the market.

Wasted Income · 10-13-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super73

That would constitute for heat cycling them. If you did a few cold/cool starts to full running temp, that's a heat cycle.

Hard to say, since the first couple times there was no coolant in the engine (open marine cooling) and the next few times it was on the garden hose with cold well water (saw maybe 140F max). I guess I will call them heat cycled...lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shon

What valve spring tool you going to use?
The old SBC tools will not work, you will want to get a LSx specific tool.
there are a few on the market.

I have the crane cams spring tool, which allows you to do the intake and exhaust springs at the same time...it's a slick unit.

Shon · 10-13-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

I have the crane cams spring tool, which allows you to do the intake and exhaust springs at the same time...it's a slick unit.

I like that tool!!

BR3W CITY · 10-13-2010, 04:53 PM

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WMR-W84002/?rtype=10

so the good old fashion "peice of metal with hold and slot" style doesn't work? Not wanting to drop $50+ on a spring tool.

Super73 · 10-13-2010, 04:57 PM

I made one of the expensive 2 spring at once compressors at home.. For about $3 in junk metal laying around, it was time well spent!!

faribran · 10-13-2010, 05:18 PM

Super73.... would you be so kind to post up a good pic of your home-made tool.
thanks

Shon · 10-13-2010, 06:37 PM

There used to a guy on tech sellin a hand made tool. I have used it too but like the crane tool. But super could post pix that would be cool. The old skool style will pull stds out of head from what I have been told.
Posted via Mobile Device

Super73 · 10-13-2010, 08:32 PM

Ok... Keep in mind this tool was made in under 30 minutes and I was teaching a budy how to weld, so he did 99% of the welding. It is rough looking. I never went back to really clean up the plasma cutter lines (which would have come out better with a cutting wheel and grinder!!!). The sharp corners were never taken off (the burs were knowing it might jack up the aluminum heads). Had I spent a couple hours on this thing, it would have looked a million times better.

It is made from:
3/8 plate
1 x 2 square tube
1/2 x 2 square tube

faribran · 10-16-2010, 03:54 PM

super73, you are the man............ i will put one of these together when we start to do the engine work.....
thanks again
Rich

BR3W CITY · 10-18-2010, 10:46 AM

i ended up using the "jaw" type, which looks much like a suspension spring compressor. Has a set of teeth that fit into the coil, and then a set that compress from the top.

**LEEVON** · 10-18-2010, 02:12 PM

I have that tool from LS1tech, the one that's just a small plate with a slot and a chamfered bolt hole. It worked but alignment is a beotch, very hard to get a straight enough shot to get both sides of the retainers on.

BR3W CITY · 10-18-2010, 03:38 PM

It was this one

but i welded a lug nut to the top and operated it with air tools/socket

10-06-2010, 12:00 PM	#1
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Cam break in Just finished the first part of my cam install last night. I'm running a TSP Tsunami Cam (ground off of a Comp stick), and PRC dual valve springs with hardened push rods. In the comp instructions it says to remove the inner valve spring and run the motor at 20min @ 2000rpm. I was checking on Ls1tech and they say that the hydraulic lifter engines don't require breakin like the flat tappets of old. Anyone done dual springs, and if so, what break in (if any) did you undertake? __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-06-2010, 10:58 PM	#2
85burb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lindale,tx Posts: 2,373	Re: Cam break in Sorry dont have answer but i also would like to know. Will be watching this. __________________ 82 c10 5.3/4l60 84 c20 5.3/sm465 85 chevy k10 suburban LQ4/4l60 91 chevy c10 suburban Lsa 5.3/4l60 2017 Silverado whipple 5.3 1964 Vw beetle 1974 vw beetle

10-07-2010, 12:46 AM	#3
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cam break in Fire it up, let it idle (if it can) and let it get to operating temp. Let it idle for 5 or so minutes at opperating temp. Do this 2-3 times letting it cool down real well. Then go play with it.. You don't need to "break in" a roller cam, but it is always good to heat cycle the valve springs a few times before beating on them!! __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

10-07-2010, 08:52 AM	#4
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cam break in any opinion on the part about removing the inner spring first? Or is that part of the old-style breakin that I don't need to worry about. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-07-2010, 05:15 PM	#5
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cam break in Just curious, what springs are you running.. I have never removed the inner spring, both springs need to be heat cycled. But I don't just fire it up and beet the snot out of it either.. Well, I do after it's heat cycled a few times and I make sure fuids all jive ect.. __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

10-07-2010, 05:48 PM	#6
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cam break in PRC dual springs, good to .660 lift __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-08-2010, 08:50 AM	#8
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cam break in ohh, that makes sense I suppose. Good, this saves me a step. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-12-2010, 05:53 PM	#9
Wasted Income Boosted Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mackinaw, IL Posts: 2,200	Re: Cam break in I have the same springs in my LQ4 powered boat. I just put them in and ran the hell out of it. I never really heat cycled them other than starting it in the driveway a few times while tweaking my tune...then I went out and beat the piss out of it all summer. No worries. Go run it!! __________________ 1972 2wd K/5 Blazer Turbocharged 370 LSx - 941 rwhp / 1093 rwtq 1969 Chevy K-10 L33 5.3 / 4L80E / NP241 / 4" lift 1964 Buick Skylark Twin TURBO 383 LS pro-touring project 2014 VW Passat TDI - Daily Driver Turbo diesel 2015 Sierra Denali HD Duramax Turbo diesel 2023 Ford Explorer ST - Twin Turbskis 2023 Ford F150 RCSB - Whipple Supercharged 2017 Polaris RZR Turbo 2014 Nor-Tech Center Console - Twin Supercharged Outboards *TURBO ALL THE THINGS!!*

10-13-2010, 08:33 AM	#11
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cam break in thanks for the advice guys. Just waiting to grab my spring tool this week and throw them bad boys in . Pretty much the last step before I can reassemble and start to get this bastard back in the truck. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-13-2010, 08:46 AM	#12
Shon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: sc Posts: 1,203	Re: Cam break in What valve spring tool you going to use? The old SBC tools will not work, you will want to get a LSx specific tool. there are a few on the market. __________________ 71 Cheyenne C10 LWB cam'd 6.0/T56 Swap

10-13-2010, 04:53 PM	#15
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cam break in http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WMR-W84002/?rtype=10 so the good old fashion "peice of metal with hold and slot" style doesn't work? Not wanting to drop $50+ on a spring tool. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-13-2010, 04:57 PM	#16
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cam break in I made one of the expensive 2 spring at once compressors at home.. For about $3 in junk metal laying around, it was time well spent!! __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

10-13-2010, 05:18 PM	#17
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Cam break in Super73.... would you be so kind to post up a good pic of your home-made tool. thanks __________________ "

10-13-2010, 06:37 PM	#18
Shon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: sc Posts: 1,203	Re: Cam break in There used to a guy on tech sellin a hand made tool. I have used it too but like the crane tool. But super could post pix that would be cool. The old skool style will pull stds out of head from what I have been told. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 71 Cheyenne C10 LWB cam'd 6.0/T56 Swap

10-13-2010, 08:32 PM	#19
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cam break in Ok... Keep in mind this tool was made in under 30 minutes and I was teaching a budy how to weld, so he did 99% of the welding. It is rough looking. I never went back to really clean up the plasma cutter lines (which would have come out better with a cutting wheel and grinder!!!). The sharp corners were never taken off (the burs were knowing it might jack up the aluminum heads). Had I spent a couple hours on this thing, it would have looked a million times better. It is made from: 3/8 plate 1 x 2 square tube 1/2 x 2 square tube Attached Images __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49



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10-16-2010, 03:54 PM	#20
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Cam break in super73, you are the man............ i will put one of these together when we start to do the engine work..... thanks again Rich __________________ "

10-18-2010, 10:46 AM	#21
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cam break in i ended up using the "jaw" type, which looks much like a suspension spring compressor. Has a set of teeth that fit into the coil, and then a set that compress from the top. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-18-2010, 02:12 PM	#22
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: Cam break in I have that tool from LS1tech, the one that's just a small plate with a slot and a chamfered bolt hole. It worked but alignment is a beotch, very hard to get a straight enough shot to get both sides of the retainers on. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

10-18-2010, 03:38 PM	#23
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cam break in It was this one but i welded a lug nut to the top and operated it with air tools/socket __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

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