Cam Break in

[DJCarbine]

breaking in the new cam tomorrow, any reason I can't use plain water for the break in, flush it and use coolant afterwards?

 

[zookeeper]

No reason at all. In fact, straight water actually cools better than anti-freeze. I just wouldn't run it as a regular habit, since straight water kills pretty much every part in the cooling system over time.

 

[iskwezm]

run some straight water and some 40* Below

 

[rbohm]

as long as you maintain a closed system there is no reason at all that you cant use plain water for break in. remember that during break in the engine has to reach operating temprature.

 

[351carlo]

Am I missing how coolant has to do with breaking in a new cam?

I mean if you're flushing your coolant out thats cool, but I don't get the correlation to the camshaft.

 

[RUSTYNUT]

Coolant is a lube for your water pump.

 

[dennis112]

Using water inside for a few minutes won't hurt anything.

In addition, I also recommend keeping the garden hose nearby in case the motor starts to run a little hot due to the high rpm's and from not going anywhere. Just aim a little cool water at the radiator should things get too warm so that you do not need to interrupt the break-in cycle unnecessarily.

 

[dennis112]

Duplicate post.

 

[DJCarbine]

Am I missing how coolant has to do with breaking in a new cam?

I mean if you're flushing your coolant out thats cool, but I don't get the correlation to the camshaft.

After my cam break in I want to do a coolant flush and oil change, so rather than waste perfectly good coolant I was asking if I can run water for the break in period

 

[65fast]

Coolant is a lube for your water pump.

The w/p has sealed bearings.

 

[351carlo]

After my cam break in I want to do a coolant flush and oil change, so rather than waste perfectly good coolant I was asking if I can run water for the break in period

OK then, just checking. Because it won't matter if you do the flush before or after the cam. Flushing the coolant won't change depending on when you do it. The oil on the other hand is important to change after a cam break in, including a new filter. But this is because the cam break in lube and any additives.

But like I said, you could do a flush now, put the regular coolant in the car and it would be no different than waiting for the cam to break in and then doing it.

As for your original question, I don't run coolant during the summer. I run straight water and a bottle or two of water wetter.

 

[iskwezm]

i have ran straight water for the past year.Coolant is messy IF there is a leak.

 

[paintballtommy]

i have ran straight water for the past year.Coolant is messy IF there is a leak.

if your going to run straight water be sure to use distilled water i had a nasty surpirce when i pulled my intake manifold. i found tons of calcium buildup in the water ports.

 

[Crs]

DJ, Which cam did you go with?

 

[DJCarbine]

Went with the edelbrock performer RPM cam, and GT40p heads. I was going to break in the cam, got it started and there was a massive fuel leak at the carb. Too late to mess with it, so I'll do the break in tomorrow. For the 5 seconds it was running and I had my foot in it to keep it from dying, it sounded mean

 

[iskwezm]

Went with the edelbrock performer RPM cam, and GT40p heads. I was going to break in the cam, got it started and there was a massive fuel leak at the carb. Too late to mess with it, so I'll do the break in tomorrow. For the 5 seconds it was running and I had my foot in it to keep it from dying, it sounded mean

I used to have that cam, souded pretty good and ran great.

 

[coolblue65]

Yeah its nice cam, I always liked it.

I actually just pulled the Edelbrock RPM package off my motor- I could have saved you some $$$!!

 

[iskwezm]

i also have a cam/lifters in my old block low mile too