Cam break-in was almost successful!

[t.flatt]

The day finally came to fire this thing off! I thought I checked everything over 10 times but it didn't start immediately. Oh, yeah, I forgot to put the coil wire on after checking for spark! Then she started instantly! Wow, I did a few things right! I had filled it with distilled water and it started boiling over reaching 230 - 240 degrees so I was definitely getting nervous! I was cooling it down with a garden hose and bam! The radiator hose blew off. So I shut it right down. It soaked **** 20 feet away in my garage. Damn Corbin clamps! I was a bit leary about using them for this. Anyways, I got about 10 minutes run time and no leaks so far. The wooden run stand was rock solid! Success!!!

 

[nitro_rat]

It could have been worse. An ALMOST successful cam break in could mean you only lost ONE lifter!

 

[t.flatt]

It could have been worse. An ALMOST successful cam break in could mean you only lost ONE lifter!

None of that talk, now...

 

[66 Sat]

As long as the lobes don't go flatt...

 

[RemCharger]

As long as the lobes don't go flatt...

It's a tough handle when doing cam swaps

 

[DanielSlocum]

I wont fire an engine before making sure all lifters are rotating using the starter motor on my run stand. After varifying all liftes rotate i then install the intake.
If any dont rotate[or barely rotate] i put a new lifter on that lobe and try again. If still no rotation,out comes the cam. Good luck men.

 

[t.flatt]

As long as the lobes don't go flatt...

Ha ha! I guess I'm asking for it with my name!

 

[t.flatt]

I wont fire an engine before making sure all lifters are rotating using the starter motor on my run stand. After varifying all liftes rotate i then install the intake.
If any dont rotate[or barely rotate] i put a new lifter on that lobe and try again. If still no rotation,out comes the cam. Good luck men.

That sounds like a great practice to follow!

 

[eldubb440]

I always cool the radiator with a garden hose........ a thermostat is probably not necessary, just another thing to go wrong

 

[GTX JOHN]

IF = This is a brand new rebuild I would be
very concerned about the rings sealing.

I NEVER let my engines run over 140 during break in
for the first 10 or 15 minutes. Harbor Freight has cheap
temp gauges to point at the radiator.

 

[t.flatt]

IF = This is a brand new rebuild I would be
very concerned about the rings sealing.

I NEVER let my engines run over 140 during break in
for the first 10 or 15 minutes. Harbor Freight has cheap
temp gauges to point at the radiator.

Yes, it is a fresh build. We'll see what happens. I put the garden hose into action a bit too late.

 

[eldubb440]

I wont fire an engine before making sure all lifters are rotating using the starter motor on my run stand. After varifying all liftes rotate i then install the intake.
If any dont rotate[or barely rotate] i put a new lifter on that lobe and try again. If still no rotation,out comes the cam. Good luck men.

do you do this with pushrods installed? or just the lifters riding on the cam?

 

[Kern Dog]

The day finally came to fire this thing off! I thought I checked everything over 10 times but it didn't start immediately. Oh, yeah, I forgot to put the coil wire on after checking for spark! Then she started instantly! Wow, I did a few things right! I had filled it with distilled water and it started boiling over reaching 230 - 240 degrees so I was definitely getting nervous! I was cooling it down with a garden hose and bam! The radiator hose blew off. So I shut it right down. It soaked **** 20 feet away in my garage. Damn Corbin clamps! I was a bit leary about using them for this. Anyways, I got about 10 minutes run time and no leaks so far. The wooden run stand was rock solid! Success!!!

View attachment 1859817

View attachment 1859818

THIS project is total redneck and I really dig it.
Engine run stand sponsored by Home Depot, exhaust system inspired by annoying neighbors that don't appreciate hot rod sounds and a NAPA brand battery just for good measure.
Heck yeah....

 

[Kern Dog]

do you do this with pushrods installed? or just the lifters riding on the cam?

Last year when Rich and I tore down a couple of dead 383s, I pulled the intake and watched the lifters and pushrods spin as the lobes of the cam reached full lift. The pushrods were almost still for most of the time but quickly spun as the lobes approached full lift. It was weird. I've never looked for that before but I will in the future.

 

[DanielSlocum]

do you do this with pushrods installed? or just the lifters riding on the cam?

I spin it w/pushrods installed,oiling system fully primed,lifters then fully pumped up hard. Otherwise they wont rotate nearly as well ive found. Lots of cam lube added with good access without intake installed.

 

[Outlawd]

Nothing wrong with 3 ten minute runs or two 15 minute runs or one 30 minute run, I've done all 3 over the years with no cam issues.

 

[snake]

Tip put a big blower in front of the rad, i bet it will be cooler next time you start it up.every one should do just that.

 

[SGTPaul]

Did you bolt than run stand to the floor or is is just gravity holding it all down?

 

[RJ Squirrel]

I had to click on this when I saw the word "almost!"
Pretty solid test stand I would trust it.
Hey you need some slip plate graphite on those manifolds

Exhaust manifold paint / anti-seize

 

[threewood]

I set 2 plug wires on fire, trans cooling line was only finger tight and I snapped my throttle cable on first fire up.