AERA Technical Bulletin

Flat Tappet Camshaft Break-in Procedure

 

The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information on the break-in procedure for engines that are utilizing flat tappets. This information is acknowledge by AERA and supplied by the Crane Cam Company.

 

NOTE: READ CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY BEFORE INSTALLATION

 

WARNING: NEW LIFTERS MUST BE INSTALLED WITH YOUR NEW CAMSHAFT

 

Prior to installation:

 

1. Check the compatibility of the camshaft with the remainder of the valve train components (valve springs, rockers, etc.)

 

2. On race type, high load spring applications, use lighter load springs or remove the inner spring (dual spring application) just for break-in.

 

Due to the EPA’s mandate for zinc removal from most motor oils, proper flat tappet camshaft break-in procedure is more critical than ever before. This is true for both hydraulic and mechanical flat tappet camshafts. As a point of interest, the most critical time in the life of a flat tappet camshaft is the first 20 minutes of “break-in” during which the bottoms of the tappets “mate-in” with the cam lobes.

 

There are some oils with additive packages that are better for camshaft “break-in”. There are many aftermarket oil supplies that have increased levels of Zinc and Phosphate for engine “break-in” purposes. It is important to note, however, do not uses API rated “SL” or “SM” oils.

 

CAUTION: We do not recommend the use of synthetic oils for “break-in”. Prior to installing the camshaft and lifters, it is recommended that the crankcase be drained and filled with new, clean oil, as listed above. The oil filter should also be changed at this time. Proper flat tappet camshaft break-in starts with the cam installation and includes the following steps:

 

 

1. Before installing the camshaft and lifters, wash them thoroughly in clean mineral spirits to remove the rust preventative that is placed on the cam before shipping. NOTE: As a “rule of thumb”, always thoroughly clean any part before installing it in an engine. Never “assume” that the parts are cleaned before packaging. During shipping, packaging material can rub into the component surface and must be removed!

 

2. DO NOT “pump-up” hydraulic lifters before use. This can cause the lifters to hold a valve open during engine cranking, which will cause low compression. The low compression will delay engine start-up and is very detrimental to proper camshaft “break-in”.

 

3. With the supplied moly paste lube, coat the bottom of the lifters, cam lobes and distributor gear. Use Crane Cams assembly lube Part # 99008-1 or equivalent, on all other surfaces and components.

 

4. Set your valve lash or lifter preload. Try to minimize the number of times that you rotate the engine, as this can displace the moly paste from the lobes and lifters.

 

5. If possible prime the oiling system. When priming, rotate the engine at least one complete revolution to assure oil gets to all valve train components. Valve covers should be off to assure that all rockers are oiling. AERA Technical Bulletin

 

6. Preset the ignition timing to start the engine at a fast idle. It is important that the static ignition timing is as close as possible and if the engine has a carburetor, it should be filled with fuel. The engine needs to start quickly without excessive cranking to insure immediate lubrication to the cam lobes.

 

7. Start the engine and immediately bring to 3,000 rpm. Timing should be adjusted, as closely as possible, to reduce excessive heat or load during break-in. Get the engine running fairly smoothly and vary the engine speed from 1500-3000 RPM in a slow, to moderate, acceleration/deceleration cycle. During this time, be sure to check for any leaks and check out any unusual noises. If something doesn’t sound right, shut the engine off and check out the source of the noise. Upon restart, resume the high idle speed cycling. Continue the varying “break-in” speed for 20 - 30 minutes. This is necessary to provide proper lifter rotation to properly mate each lifter to its lobe. Should the engine need to be shut down for any reason, upon re-start it should be immediately brought back to 3000 rpm and the break-in continued for a total run time of 20 – 30 minutes.

 

8. Let the engine cool, and then drain the crankcase and properly dispose of the oil and oil filter. Refill the crankcase with premium petroleum-based oil, not synthetic oil. At this point the initial “break-in” is complete. You can drive the vehicle in your normal manner. We recommend changing the oil and filter after 500 miles. You might want to put another 5000 miles on the cam before switching to a synthetic, if that is your preference.

 

Additional Information:

 

Spring Pressures: For extended camshaft life, flat-tappet cams should not be run with more than the recommended open valve spring pressure. Racing applications will often need to run more spring pressure at the expense of reduced camshaft life. In order to “break-in” a camshaft with high open pressures, the inner springs should be removed to reduce “break-in” load. The inner springs can then be reinstalled after initial “break-in” is complete.

 

Lifter Rotation: Flat tappet cams (both hydraulic and mechanical) have the lobes ground on a slight taper and the lifter appears to sit offset from the lobe centerline. This will induce a rotation of the lifter on the lobe. This rotation draws oil to the mating surface between the lifter and the lobe. If it is possible to view the pushrods during “break-in”, they should be spinning as an indication that the lifter is spinning. If you don’t see a pushrod spinning, immediately stop the engine and find the cause.

 

Never use old flat tappet lifters on a new cam. On flat tappet cams, the lobes and lifter bottoms mate together and if the lifters are removed from the engine, they must go back on the same lobe from which they were removed. Crane Cams recommends the use of high quality tappets to prevent premature cam or lifter wear. Crane tappets are of the highest quality.

 

Big Block Chevrolets have an oil-priming idiosyncrasy. When priming a Big Block Chevy with a drill motor and priming tool, it is often necessary to prime for as much as 20 minutes (while rotating the engine) to get oil to all of the lifters and rockers. It is advisable to prime these engines with the valve covers removed so you can check to see oil coming out of all of the rocker arms before firing the engine. This last step is advisable on all engines, but particularly on Big Block Chevrolets.

 

The AERA Technical Committee