camshaft oiling for engine break-in

[haycait911]

I had a thought. it seems that the 15 minute run-in at 2500 rpm is largely to insure oil supply to the cams during their break-in. why not open up ( drill ) a pair of stock cam oil restrictors to allow even more flow for break-in, then change back to the stock restrictors after the initial run-in. as long as the overall engine oil pressure wasn't dangerously low, any harm.

just a thought, throwing it out there. Don.

[cgarr]

I always understood that it was not so much about getting oil to the cams but the break-in period was to get the two surfaces happy with each other, almost like burnishing process?

[HawgRyder]

With every engine I have built...when started for the first time:
Run for at least 25 minutes at varying speeds ( just off idle to about 3000 RPM).
Do not shut off!
Run until the engine is completely up to temp.
For a water cooled engine...this means until the thermostat opens.
For our little jewels....until the front oil line gets warm.
This will ensure the correct mating of the cam to rocker.
I have seen people run the engine without exhaust for " just a sec to see how it sounds".
This washes off the pre-lube from the cam and the next time you start .... metal tears off the mating surfaces and reduces the time to next rebuild.
Bob

[Flieger]

I dont use cam oil line restrictors ever. I want proper lubrication to the valvetrain.

My oil pressure is fine when warm.

I dont think you would hurt anything by not using restrictors for break-in.