cam break in trick?

[bob]

I was reading on a different site that its a good idea to throw a couple extra quarts of oil into an engine during the initial ring and cam/lifter break-in period, the theory being that the higher level of oil gaurantees a great deal more oil getting thrown on the cam and lifter contact area,by the spinning crank assembly, during the break-in process thus at least in theory keeping the lifter bases and cam lobe contact area much cooler and better lubricated?
now the first thing that I thought of is won,t that over power the oil rings?
and will it really provide any more lubrication?

 

[grumpyvette]

thats a well known (OLD SCHOOL) way to insure a bit more cooling oil flow on the cam and lifter contact area FOR FLAT TAPPET LIFTERS

but it also limits the engine rpms to about 2500rpm-3000rpm or your correct it potentially over loads the oil rings ability to keep oil out of the combustion chambers and fouling the spark plugs. if limited to an extra quart its certainly not going to hurt a thing as long as you keep the rpms under about 3000rpm and it should help cool and lubricate the cam lobes , but keep in mind that the sbc does not rely on "splash oiling", oil flows, and is thrown from clearances on the connecting rods and from the lifter bores and oil draining from the upper engine all provide a constant flow of oil to the cam lobes, FOR FLAT TAPPET LIFTERS ,your best protection is use of the correct oil with at least a 1800 ppm of zddp and a MOLY assembly lube on the lifters and cam lobes during the CRITICAL first 15 minutes during which the cam/lifter base contact area laps in to a matching pattern, obviously ROLLER CAMs would not really benefit as they don,t go thru the lifter base lapping in process.

if the valve train clearances and rings are installed correctly ,cylinder pressure helps ring seal and break-in so don,t be afraid to keep the engine constantly changing rpm and load as this seats both the rings to cylinder walls and throws extra oil mist on the cam lobes, lifters and cylinder walls and maintain enough oil pressure to keep the rockers properly lubricated


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these links may be useful
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/adjusting-valves.196/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...cally-tracking-down-a-valve-train-noise.6237/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/metal-in-oil.10875/#post-47688

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-wear-articles-you-need-to-read.282/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...k-after-a-cam-lobe-rod-or-bearings-fail.2919/