Do I need break in oil for roller cam?

Roller cams do not need to be broken-in, nor do they need any zinc in the oil, but ALL flat tappet cams need both. Do NOT break-in your cam or engine with non-detergent oil! This is old school and these days you can’t even get good non-detergent engine oil.

Do I need to break in a hydraulic roller cam?

Breaking in an enigne with a roller camshaft is important. Metal particles are created during break-in. This is the biggest issue for the bearings in the roller lifter.

How do you break-in a new roller cam and lifter?

After cleaning the camshaft and lifters, apply calcium-sulfonate for protection and lasting lubrication during initial start-up. Then, soak your roller lifters in break-in oil. Use a finer micron filter during break-in. Prime the pump before firing the engine.

Do you break-in roller lifters?

After cleaning the camshaft and lifters, apply calcium-sulfonate for protection and lasting lubrication during initial start-up. Then, soak your roller lifters in break-in oil.

How long does it take to break-in a new camshaft?

This process should only take about five minutes but can sometimes take longer. A big-block Chevy will take much longer to pump oil to all the rocker arms-perhaps as long as 20 minutes. Now replace the distributor by positioning the engine at No.

How long does it take to break-in cam?

The most critical time in the life of a flat tappet camshaft is the first 20 minutes of break in, during which time the bottoms of the tappets mate-in with the cam lobes. This is true for both hydraulic and mechanical flat tappet camshafts.

What oil should I use to break-in a camshaft?

The best oil to use during cam break-in is one with high ZDDP levels but very low or no detergent. This way, the ZDDP remains on the cam lobe and bottom of the lifter where it belongs, minimizing excessive wear and allowing the lobe and lifter interface to create the necessary wear pattern.

What rpm do you break-in a camshaft at?

Perhaps the most important step in the break-in process is to bring the engine immediately up to a minimum of 2,500 rpm or more. This is vital because most V8 pushrod engine camshafts are not pressure-lubed.

What is roller cam break-in oil?

Another aspect of roller cam break-in to consider is the high spring pressures and contact loads the cam, lifters, pushrods, and rockers see. While these loads would spell death to a flat-tappet cam, the high ZDDP anti-wear package of a break-in oil also protects these components during that critical break-in period.

Why is break in important for a roller camshaft?

Breaking in an enigne with a roller camshaft is important. Metal particles are created during break-in. This is the biggest issue for the bearings in the roller lifter. Most camshafts come with specific break-in procedures. The following procedure could apply to any roller camshaft.

What kind of oil do you use for a roller cam?

By now, it’s common practice (or should be) to use break-in oil with ZDDP or a zinc additive for a flat-tappet camshaft. But what about roller cams? Any old oil will work for that, right? According top engine builders, ring manufacturers, and cam grinders, the answer is no.

How do you lubricate roller lifters?

After cleaning the camshaft and lifters, apply calcium-sulfonate for protection and lasting lubrication during initial start-up. Then, soak your roller lifters in break-in oil. Prime the pump before firing the engine. This ensures a critical supply of oil to the cam and lifters at initial start-up. Do not idle the engine.