Breaking in new cam with new transmission, questions...

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LivewireBlanco

LivewireBlanco

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So I'm almost ready to break-in my new cam and I have a brand new 904 in the Dart. I know I need to bring the car up to 2000 rpm for cam break-in but I also know I'm supposed to run the transmission through the gears with the rear wheels off the ground to get the correct amount of fluid in. My question is what's the correct procedure for this? Start in neutral or park? Transmission will have 4-5 quarts in it at start up and the torque converter has a quart in it as well. Thanks.
 
We need to look up and find the transmission capacity then fill the system close to that amount. I would start it in neutral and don't worry about shifting it. The fluid will be where it needs to be by the time your cam is broke in. EDIT: Just got off the phone with Lon. (He's a transmission pro) Break it in in Park for safety. It will pick up and circulate fluid in Park. Check idling in neutral after the cam break in.
 
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as said above...in neutral....put your 4-5 qts in....while the engine is running for 20 minutes....check the fluid....have a couple of qts if needed.....
 
With 4-5 qt in trans start engine for cam break- in , in park ,as cam is breaking in add 2-3 qt for a total of 8 at , finish break- in, drop engine to idle speeds and gear trans, and top off trans to full mark in neutal.
Lon
 
lkopaska said:
With 4-5 qt in trans start engine for cam break- in , in park ,as cam is breaking in add 2-3 qt for a total of 8 at , finish break- in, drop engine to idle speeds and gear trans, and top off trans to full mark in neutal.
Lon
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Will the earlier Torqueflites pick up and circulate fluid in Park?
 
A fully empty trans will take about 9 quarts to fill including the converter... Pour the trans fluid in and get it to read full on the dip stick before starting the engine... Then when you start it, run the trans from forward gears to reverse ... 1 - R - 2 - R - 3 - R, - 1 - R - 2 - R - 3 - R.... Repeat as necessary...

Then after you get the fluid worked through the trans and converter, check the fluid level in neutral and top off...

Note the fluid level will drop from when you check in park to when you put the trans in neutral...

That's how we did it at a 10 minute oil change place that I worked at in the 89-s...
 
krazykuda said:
A fully empty trans will take about 9 quarts to fill including the converter... Pour the trans fluid in and get it to read full on the dip stick before starting the engine... Then when you start it, run the trans from forward gears to reverse ... 1 - R - 2 - R - 3 - R, - 1 - R - 2 - R - 3 - R.... Repeat as necessary...

Then after you get the fluid worked through the trans and converter, check the fluid level in neutral and top off...

Note the fluid level will drop from when you check in park to when you put the trans in neutral...

That's how we did it at a 10 minute oil change place that I worked at in the 89-s...
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What about while breaking in the cam?
 
toolmanmike said:
Will the earlier Torqueflites pick up and circulate fluid in Park?
Click to expand...

LivewireBlanco said:
I don't think it circulates in park.
Click to expand...

I just called Lon (He does transmissions for a living) and edited my post. It does pick up and circulate in park just not as fast. Check it idling in neutral after the cam is broken in.
 
lkopaska said:
With 4-5 qt in trans start engine for cam break- in , in park ,as cam is breaking in add 2-3 qt for a total of 8 at , finish break- in, drop engine to idle speeds and gear trans, and top off trans to full mark in neutal.
Lon
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This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

LivewireBlanco said:
What about while breaking in the cam?
Click to expand...
 
I would put in 7-8 quarts and start the engine break-in and focus on that.
The convertor is connected to the engine, which drives the intermediate shaft and oil pump, so oil is being moved around somewhat.

I would personally NOT be wanting to start shifting the transmission through its gears, especially not Reverse, while the engine is running at 2k rpm. Sounds like a recipe for disaster for the transmission.
 
BigBlockMopar said:
I would put in 7-8 quarts and start the engine break-in and focus on that.
The convertor is connected to the engine, which drives the intermediate shaft and oil pump, so oil is being moved around somewhat.

I would personally NOT be wanting to start shifting the transmission through its gears, especially not Reverse, while the engine is running at 2k rpm. Sounds like a recipe for disaster for the transmission.
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Neutral or park?
 
Park would be safest.
It would 'ruin your day' and more, when the transmission accidently got bumped into Drive during 'the 20-minutes of fun'.
 
LivewireBlanco said:
I'll have the rear tires off the ground during break in.
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For your safety, start it and leave it in park until the cam is broke in and the engine is at idle. With 5 or so quarts of fluid in the trans it will be ok.
 
Front tires too?
(Just thinking you might risk trapping air in the cooling system somewhere with the car slanted forward a bit.)
 
BigBlockMopar said:
I would put in 7-8 quarts and start the engine break-in and focus on that.
The convertor is connected to the engine, which drives the intermediate shaft and oil pump, so oil is being moved around somewhat.

I would personally NOT be wanting to start shifting the transmission through its gears, especially not Reverse, while the engine is running at 2k rpm. Sounds like a recipe for disaster for the transmission.
Click to expand...

You leave the engine at idle at first start when shifting the fluid through the gears...
 
I find that very questionable advice for someone who is about to start the 'delicate task' of breaking in a new camshaft.

Enough cams still bite the dust these days even when procedures are seemingly followed by the book.
Advising someone to disgard the very first rule in cam break-in (- Never let the engine idle!) seems a bit funny.
 
toolmanmike said:
For your safety, start it and leave it in park until the cam is broke in and the engine is at idle. With 5 or so quarts of fluid in the trans it will be ok.
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Would this be ok since I'm not shifting gears it won't run dry and the tranny don't burn up?
 
Ok, fill it with 4-5 quarts and leave it in park until cam break in is finished seams to be the consensus. Thanks guys.
 
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