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Always use the cam assembly lube provided or recommended by the camshaft manufacturer, in addition to using the correct break-in oil.
Nothing changes with regard to prep. Coat each lobe completely with the recommended assembly lube, usually a high-pressure moly-based material.
Even with the lobes coated with moly, using an engine oil that is too low in zinc phosphate can kill an otherwise perfectly good cam.
Another example of a dedicated break-in oil is the Joe Gibbs BR oil. This has been formulated specifically for seating flat tappet cams and lifters.
Among the handful of engine oils currently available that are designed specifically for break-in of flat tappet cams is Brad Penn Penn Grade 1. The container is clearly marked as “Break-In Racing Oil.” This is top-notch insurance to protect the cam lobes and lifters.
After break-in has taken place (rings seated, cam and lifters properly mated, etc.), it’s still wise to use a high zinc oil for dyno and long term engine use, especially when the engine is equipped with a flat tappet cam.
ENGINE OILS THAT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT ZDDP
AND ARE OK FOR FLAT TAPPET BREAK-IN
BRAD PENN PENN GRADE 1 BREAK-IN OIL
Offered by:
American Refining Group Inc.
77 N. Kendall Ave.
Bradford, PA 16701
(814) 368-1200
MicroZol BR BREAK-IN OIL
“For use in break-in of high-powered, high-performance race engines … promotes ring seal and provides maximum protection for cams and lifters during initial break-in. Exceptional break-in performance in flat tappet race engines. Can also be used to break-in roller cam engines. Can be used as general purpose dyno oil …” the company says.
Offered by:
Joe Gibbs Driven
13415 Reese Blvd. West
Huntersville, NC 28078
(866) 611-1820
VALVOLINE VR1 RACING OIL
Offered by:
Valvoline
3499 Blazer Pkwy
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 357-7777
CHEVRON DELO 400
Diesel-rated
MOBIL DELVAC
Diesel-rated
SWEPCO 306 15W-40
Offered by:
Southwestern Petroleum Corp.
P.O. Box 961005
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0005
(800) 877-9372
NOTE: For break-in of flat tappet engines, avoid any engine oil if the container features the API small starburst logo. The star indicates that the oil has been formulated for new engines from an energy-conserving standpoint. That stuff is for passenger car gas engines equipped with roller cams. Avoid the star like the plague, at least for flat tappet break-ins.
THE STANDARD FLAT TAPPET BREAK-IN RULES STILL APPLY
1. Don’t use a synthetic oil for break-in. It may be too slippery to assure ring seating and flat tappet lifter rotation.
2. Always apply the cam maker-specified moly paste to the cam lobes and lifter faces.
3. 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 and delay engine start-up.
4. Prime the engine’s oil system before start-up.
5. Lubricate lifter walls and pushrods with engine oil.
6. Fire the engine, bringing it to a fast idle of between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. Vary this idle speed during running, in a slow-to-moderate acceleration/deceleration cycle. Continue this varying-speed cycle for 20 to 30 minutes. This is to ensure proper lifter rotation in an effort to mate each lifter to its cam lobe.
Tags: BRAD PENN, BREAK-IN, CHEVRON, JOE GIBBS DRIVEN, MOBIL, OIL, SWEPCO, VALVOLINE
