Has anyone done a new camshaft break-in with a 2.8L V6? (Page 1/1)
hdryder AUG 18, 10:07 AM
Has anyone done a new camshaft break-in with a 2.8L V6?
olejoedad AUG 18, 12:47 PM
Yes.
wftb AUG 18, 01:48 PM
Me too. Just not successfully lol. Apperantly you need to find engine oil with the zinc additive still in it. Most modern and synthetic oils have no or very little zinc additive in them because it will slowly ruin catylitic converters. And aftermarket flat lifters are prone to failure. I think there are zinc additives you can put in your oil but I would not know a brand name.
Blacktree AUG 18, 02:00 PM
The camshaft mfgr should have a recommended break-in procedure. Different mfgrs may have different break-in procedures, for various reasons.
olejoedad AUG 18, 03:41 PM
The cam should come with assembly lube.
Check to see if the lube has the zinc in it.
If not, get some that has the zinc. Crower has a good lube with zinc and moly in it.

[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 08-18-2019).]

cvxjet AUG 18, 07:41 PM
I always use a Zinc oil additive; Either Comp cams or Lucas- every oil change.

As for cam break-in, with my Jet boat 460, I set everything up, then carefully marked the distributor so I can easily slide it back in (I actually practiced re-installing it a few times before I continued)- pull it, and use a drill and long extension to spin the oil pump to prime the oiling system, then re-install the distributor, and then turn it over- the really scary part is, you are supposed to immediately run the engine up to 2000-2400 rpm- this makes sure the lifters actually rotate as the cam moves them..(If they don't rotate you will flatten a cam lobe.)

You should vary the RPM up and down between those two RPMs...run it for 30 minutes or so....Then change the oil to get rid of any metal and contaminates (Your rings have to seat also so at first you get a lot of blow-by)

For my 460, I needed a 5/16" socket to fit on the oil-pump shaft- I don't know what size the 2.8 uses- But make absolutely sure that the socket does NOT fall off down in the engine! I used some plastic to tightly wedge the socket onto the extension. Also, with my 460 high-volume pump, I had to use a 1/2" corded drill to get enough power to really spin the pump.

I did this 12 years ago, and my 460 is still running great- 20 weekends out water skiing every year, plus a 2 week trip to the lake...Approx' 5-600 hours on the engine! (And I don't baby it)
MarkS AUG 19, 08:44 AM
I just did a cam & lifter break- in within the last week. It was a Lunati VooDoo cam w/ matching hydraulic flat tappet lifters in my 400. Lunati included a packet of Joe Gibbs Racing Driven assembly grease with the kit. I read reviews online about this stuff and was confident enough to buy a small can of it to use on the pushrods and rockers too. I combined this with CompCams break- in oil (high zinc content). Gotta say this was the quietest cam and lifter break- in I've done in a long time. Very good results.

BR's,

Mark

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65 Tempest 400 CID
2018 Chevy Colorado Z71 3.6
2015 BMW 535iX M Sport
2008 G6 GT "Street" Coupe
2005 Buick 3.6 Rendezvous