Thread: Cam break-in

I had a thought and wondered what others have done about this.

Do you change to new rocker arms when you put in a different cam?

My thinking is as such, back in the days that I played with V8 pushrod engines any time you installed a new cam or even a used cam it is common practice to install new "lifters". The reason was in part that the interface between the cam and the lifter "wore in" together to a certain extent.

Does this same thing occur with SR cams.

Differences that I can think of is that the cam-in-block design has the lobe cut so that it will promote the "lifter" to rotate and obviously the rocker arm doesn't.

Just looking for thoughts.

When rebuilding my new motor and swapping cams to the new head the machine shop said just to keep below 4k for a bit as it would be like breaking them in again. but I didnt swap rocker arms and they didnt even suggest that.

No, drop in ride around around a bit then let loose.

If your putting in a new cam. 50 miles of easy driving then let loose.

If your putting in a used set. Drop in and GO!!!

Make sure you clean the cams good and put assembly lube on all the lobes and rockers. Red line assembly lube works really good! Then run it easy like they sayed and then go on it as long as your tuned for that cam. Change the oil after about a few hundred miles so the assembly lube can drain out as with any shavings from the new cam you broke in. GL.

Planning on using Lucas Oil assembly lube. Thanks for the feedback to all.

What about re shimming? Is this necessary

New question. C2 cams with stock pistons? Worth the trouble?

Let me say that in terms of trouble it is minimal as I have the engine on a stand and I have the stock cams out and rockers off so that I could clean everything up. So I guess the question is what kind of gains can I expect with C2's on stock C:R?

I have all of the parts to build the "right" motor (16VE Pistons, low-port head, 20VE block) but I am not at that point quite yet and I need to get the car running. I suspect the VE Piston engine will be a next winter project.

S3 ftw. I believe u have to upgrade ur vavle train for the c2 can swap if I'm not mistaken

Yes, I have the right JWT springs to go with the cam. Thanks for the info though, just in case I didn't.