Need some more tech info.

Harndog

New Member
May 28, 2007
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Well the 67 is getting really close to fire up and break in. My buddy brought something to my attention that had not really crossed my mind. The new motor has to be broke in at around 2000 2500 rpm. The AOD only had about 1200 miles on it when I got it and has been drained and re filled with fluid. He said he was a little concerned about spinning the trans that fast (break in speeds) without knowing the fluid was pumped through the whole trans? What is done in a situation like this? I did put 2 quarts of trans fluid in the torque converter when I installed it.
 
If the trans has atleast has 5 quarts in it it will be fine running in park! Why 2,500to break in the camshaft? I usually run mine at 1,000 for the first 5 minutes, while someone watches the gauges and I time it check for leaks and half ass the carb. If all systems are go after 5 min. I jack the idle up to 2,500 and let it run for 10 more minutes. I then let it idle down to 1,000 for 5 minutes and kill it to change the oil. After 20 minutes of break in and an oil change we go for a road test to do ring seat pulls!
 
Thanks Punisher and yes I was under the impression for cam break in that was the proper method 20 min of 2000 rpm? Although I did a former motor and don't remember doing it this way. I did not even follow a proper method was only 19 and did not no anything lol. That motor was fine even had a few 7000 rpm pulls. I will give your method some thought though. thanks again.
 
Wow, I was just thinking that too since I'm getting close to doing the same thing you are. I put 1.5q of Mercon in the converter before installing it, but the lines to the cooler and the cooler itself are still dry. I'd guess they can easily hold another quart. So I'm expecting the need to add fluid almost immediately after firing it up, but don;t want to overfill.

If the TC is full it should take only a few seconds to pump ATF throughout. I was considering firing it up and running at idle for a minute (or less) then shut it down check and add ATF. You cannot check the fluid levels accurately while it is running.

Anyone have thoughts on this? I know the engine break-in is important and 45 seconds of running is not recommended but so is not being low (or too full) on ATF.
 
Thanks Punisher and yes I was under the impression for cam break in that was the proper method 20 min of 2000 rpm? Although I did a former motor and don't remember doing it this way. I did not even follow a proper method was only 19 and did not no anything lol. That motor was fine even had a few 7000 rpm pulls. I will give your method some thought though. thanks again.

A flat tappet cam needs 20 minutes at 2,000 rpm. Do not idle the motor when first starting it! The cam gets lubricated indirectly by oil slung around inside the motor, so if you run the engine at 1,000 rpm right after initial start up, you are risking wiping the cam.

Also, if you are running a higher lift cam and need multiple valve springs, you should pull the inner springs for break in. Then put them back in after the cam has been broken in.
 
Why would you break-in a cam differently than all the manufacturers tell you to? Run it 20 minutes at 2000 rpm..... The most important reasons for running it at that rpm is to get higher oil pressure, and allow the lifters to get some pressure on the cam lobes because the cam turns them, and if it is turning too slow, it might to begin to turn them, and if the lifter doesn't turn, it wipes out the lobe.
 
So I was right in thinking we needed to run at a higher RPM. Thats the plan.

Now What about the trans? Is it agreed as long as it is in park and i did put 2 quarts in the TC and plan to fill up the pan with as much as it will hold. speaking of how many quarts should a 89 AOD hold with a standard pan and the TC is also stock size also running through a cooler and the rad?

Thanks again for the help