• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-

Header and Cam Break In Procedure

  • Thread starter Thread starter ssppiitt
  • Start date Start date Feb 9, 2004
S

ssppiitt

New Member
Apr 8, 2003
206
0
0
Mountain View, Ca.
Feb 9, 2004
#1
  • Feb 9, 2004
  • #1
I thought I would create this post for those who are building a new motor, putting in a new cam, or buying new ceramic coated headers.

Breaking in your cam:

If you are installing a new cam you should first break it in. The procedure for breaking in a cam is bring your engine up to 2000 RPM and hold it there for 15 - 20 minutes. Once you have done that your cam is now broken in.

Breaking in your ceramic coated headers:

First off if you have installed a brand new cam do not install your ceramic coated headers while still breaking in your cam. If you do you will crack your headers. Break in the cam first with some beat up headers/exhaust manifolds.

Once the cam is broken in it is ok to break in your ceramic coated headers. Breaking in your ceramic coated headers is as easy as heating up your headers until they smoke then turning off your engine to allow them to cool down. Do this 4 - 5 times.

Good luck guys maybe I will see you at the track.
 

blown65

Founding Member
Jul 7, 1999
1,938
4
39
Queen Creek Arizona
Feb 10, 2004
#2
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #2
My ceramic coated headers have never cracked from breakin? Usually cam ppl like to have the rpms vary some during breakin. They dont like idle or high speeds though. At least this is how Ive always done it with zero problems.
 

HistoricMustang

Active Member
Apr 11, 2003
2,359
0
46
Confederate States of America
Feb 17, 2004
#3
  • Feb 17, 2004
  • #3
Your cam break in is correct, the header problems sound like an isolated case.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
 
M

my66coupe

Founding Member
Apr 30, 2002
1,134
0
36
Arizona fountain hills
Feb 17, 2004
#4
  • Feb 17, 2004
  • #4
What about a breakin for a freshly rebuilt motor with a new cam? same thing?

Mike
 

Route666

Active Member
Aug 16, 2003
1,652
6
39
Brisbane, Australia
Feb 18, 2004
#5
  • Feb 18, 2004
  • #5
Fresh ceramics need heat cycling otherwise they go brittle and flaky if you heat them a lot the first time they get heat (like 2 grand for 20 minutes).

After they're heat cycled you can break in cams with the ceramics on.
 

HistoricMustang

Active Member
Apr 11, 2003
2,359
0
46
Confederate States of America
Feb 19, 2004
#6
  • Feb 19, 2004
  • #6
Same thing.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
 
M

my66coupe

Founding Member
Apr 30, 2002
1,134
0
36
Arizona fountain hills
Feb 22, 2004
#7
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #7
and do you change the oil directly after this?

Mike
 

LMan

Founding Member
Aug 10, 2002
1,246
0
0
Mom's basement
Feb 22, 2004
#8
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #8
FWIW, I always change the oil right after the cam breakin to get that first load of metal crap (and cam lube) out of the motor. I change the 2d at ~100 miles, after the rings have seated, and then start the normal change cycle at that point.

BUT! Oil changes-at-rebuild are many and varied, thats just how I do it, others may disagree. I figure 3x oil changes is cheap to help start a $1-5k motor off right.
 

Route666

Active Member
Aug 16, 2003
1,652
6
39
Brisbane, Australia
Feb 22, 2004
#9
  • Feb 22, 2004
  • #9
I agree with LMan, you may as well change the oil often. The extra $100 is relatively cheap insurance for a rebuild that cost at LEAST ten times as much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

5
Foxbody Intro
  • 5.0Sucio
  • May 26, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
1
Views
78
The Welcome Wagon May 26, 2026
Noobz347
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
737
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
747
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Engine 87 NA - Tune or no Tune needed?
  • R82148V
  • Sep 17, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
317
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 17, 2025
R82148V
S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
646
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
spilly
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?