[phil400]

As the title says preparing for a cam break in, not a fresh build,just had to do a timing chain cam and lifters swap on older used engine,everything is all stock,stock cam etc.

Temperatures outside are hovering around the freezing mark, car sitting in cold unheated garage, is outside air temp something to.be concerned with? Car is gonna be stored till spring so can wait if need be, have other areas of the car that need attention so wanted to get it done and move onto other projects during the winter.
Thanks

[Half-Inch Stud]

Maybe the engine will warm up quickly. Keep the rpm around 2,000-2,500. Since the break-in is a 20 minute wipe, i drive to a highway and cruise, listening for noises.

Maybe you have a clear highway nearby, and pick a time for low-no traffic.

[78w72]

Outside temps wont matter, if anything might help keep the engine cool since the high rpms for ~20 mins can make some cars run hot. Probably better to do it now before the cam lube drips off the cam more compared to now.

Follow all the common steps for cam break in, if its more than a stock or mild cam consider removing inner valve springs and be sure to ad 10 bottles of ZDDP additive... J/K, but use a good cam break in additive like comp or lucas alonng with a good oil and it should be fine.

Edit- do the cam break in with car parked in neutral, not driving it if thats what the #2 post meant.

[steve25]

I would warm your Qts of oil up in a bucket of hot water and add it to the motor minutes before you fire it up.
Successful break in relies on oil flowing and splashing around .

[phil400]

Ok thanks

[Schurkey]

Overall, I don't know that outside temperature makes any real difference in cam break-in, especially if it's around "freezing" rather than being forty below zero. But if it's important to you:

1. Install a block heater in the specified core-plug hole, and let it warm the engine for an hour before you fire it up.

Block heaters are readily available, not all that expensive, and not all that hard to install, although somewhat messy if you don't pull the block drain plug on the side that the heater goes in.

Or

2. Throw a Torpedo kerosene/diesel heater in the shed an hour before breaking in the cam.

[4dblnkldude]

2. Throw a Torpedo kerosene/diesel heater in the shed an hour before breaking in the cam.[/QUOTE]

I've done this in the past in February at 15 degrees outside, well in the garage with the door open. Point it at the oil pan. Gonna do another one this winter right around the same time.

[chiphead]

I used Lucas 30W break in oil on my last HFT break-in. It worked really well along with removing the inner springs. Several hundred miles later, all 16 pushrods are still spinning. I wouldn't worry about ambient temp unless it was below 30*. The only risk is high oil pressure while the oil is cold. Once the motor warms up, it'll be fine.

Have a spotter look for leaks and banging noises during break in.

[ta man]

My question would be does your car always start well in the cold? That is the number one thing needed...quick fire up without excessive cranking.

[Dragncar]

Space heater on you oil pan for a few hours full of this stuff.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/RPO-11487