Cam running in procedure.

drabbers

Active Member
Thinking about the cam running in procedure.

Always advised as the 20 min @ 2000 rpm from start up (which I will follow)

What happened when the cars were new ?

The original running in procedure would probably have involved gentle driving for first 500 / 1000 miles ?

Is this why many cams are worn at lowish miles ?

Mark.
 
I think the problem was more the materials used. Quality aftermarket cams seem to last much better. I ran in my crower cam as instructed and change the oil again at 1000km. It's got noticeable smoother over the next 2-3000km.
 
I assume you used the lube they supplied for the followers and lobes, right?
Whatever procedure you use, fill the engine with a straight mineral oil and add a ZDDP additive for the first
1000km and then drain it and go to your regular oil with a new fliter.
 
Yes, with the cam lube.

The lube is effectively concentrated ZDDP in slightly thicker oil. Changed the oil, ran the can in, ran with this for 1000km or so and then did another oil change. I also change the timing gear/chain for solid metal type and obviously the tappets/followers too so it could be all that settled in together over the next 3000km or so. But it took longer than one might expect.
 
I bought all my bits - cam / lifters etc from Real Steel.

Cam lube supplied with cam.

Also bought a ZDDP rich running in oil - in 1 litre bottles - on their recommendation at the same time.

They advised 500 miles and then oil change.

Mark.
 
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