Engine Break-in Tips???

OrangeMustangGt

Founding Member
Mar 7, 2002
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Cape Cod, MA
what should i do when i first fire this thing up? i havent touched the heads, and the engine its self has 55k, so all that is really new is the cam, etc. IS there anything special i should do when i fire her up(if it runs lol)?
 
9. Prelubing the Valvetrain
You are now ready to prelube the valvetrain. Lubricate the rocker arms, springs, and valve stems with about 1/2 quart of oil per head. It is a good idea to use an oil squirt-can to get inside the valve spring and lube the valve stem and seal area.

To ensure long life and trouble-free usage, allow 2-4 hours of normal driving time before running the engine hard. This allows proper break-in of your valvetrain. If you are also breaking in a new cam, it's a good idea to change the oil after a half hour. This will help to remove the many small particles that are shorn off in the break-in process. After proper break-in is complete, you can use a synthetic oil if you wish.

All taken from the trickflow website. Hey your in MA too? Ever go to New England Dragway?
 
Well a hyd. cam. I run it at 3,000 rpms for 15 mins. Change the oil. Then run it like you stole. Roller cams don't really need any break in period. My race engines run it at 3,500 rpm's or so until the temp hits about 240. water pump is shut off so it only take about 5 to 10 mins. shut it down let it cool completly down change oil retorque heads and double check vavle lash and go racing.
 
last engine i built i let it run 15 minutes then drained the oil.. put new oil in and drove the crap out of it... takes a few minutes to break the cam in everything else is pretty much broke in, in matter of minutes on a fresh start.