how not to break in a cam!!
So my buddy asks me "do you want to come over and help on my startup after engine rebuild?" Now the engine had been sitting for more than a year after being built. I said sure, knowing that the guy that rebuilt the engine was going to be there. Now be forewarned, this was a 396 Chevy. I asked the builder if he had high zinc oil in it, he said no, asked if he had removed the inner springs for the break in, he replied no, asked what rpm and how long he was going to run it for break in, he said just enough to get the timing set and rev it up a few times. Now this guy has raced a little altered with a 468 BBC for many years. I did not want to press him or make a big deal out of it. It did start right up, good sign, rev it a few times, let it down to idle set the timing and mixtures. Probably ran about 5 to 7 minutes. I told my buddy, sure sounds like a dead cylinder? But who was I. Because the ca r needed paint and body, my buddy started it on occasion and did not drive. Everytime he started one or two of the cylinders got weaker....OK nuff of the lead up. I told him to take the valve covers off and lets take a look, sure enough 3 of the rockers did not even move. I told him to tear it down and rebuild and I will help him do the right way.
So my buddy asks me "do you want to come over and help on my startup after engine rebuild?" Now the engine had been sitting for more than a year after being built. I said sure, knowing that the guy that rebuilt the engine was going to be there. Now be forewarned, this was a 396 Chevy. I asked the builder if he had high zinc oil in it, he said no, asked if he had removed the inner springs for the break in, he replied no, asked what rpm and how long he was going to run it for break in, he said just enough to get the timing set and rev it up a few times. Now this guy has raced a little altered with a 468 BBC for many years. I did not want to press him or make a big deal out of it. It did start right up, good sign, rev it a few times, let it down to idle set the timing and mixtures. Probably ran about 5 to 7 minutes. I told my buddy, sure sounds like a dead cylinder? But who was I. Because the ca r needed paint and body, my buddy started it on occasion and did not drive. Everytime he started one or two of the cylinders got weaker....OK nuff of the lead up. I told him to take the valve covers off and lets take a look, sure enough 3 of the rockers did not even move. I told him to tear it down and rebuild and I will help him do the right way.