Cooling during cam breakin?

[crustodd]

I'm asking this because I just finished reading another thread that made me think about this VERY important issue (for us noobs). When I have my stroker installed and ready to fire up for the first time and then do the cam break in, how are you guys keeping the engine cool at a sustained 2000 rpms? A big fan would be obvious, and I have an override switch for A/C fan, but since there's obviously no airflow from goin' down the road, what do ya' do? I've never had to go through this process before

Thanks,
T~

[IH 392]

I've never had an issue with the engine driven fan providing enough air to keep the engine cool during break in on anything, especially if the shroud is in place.

[Mgardiner1]

Yeah at 2000 RPM the fan is pulling in plenty of air. Definitly get it outside the first time you start it. There will be smoke and steam and potentially some leaks.

[crustodd]

So you do the process with the rig stationary though? Or do ya drive it around the neighborhood?

[dwg86]

So you do the process with the rig stationary though? Or do ya drive it around the neighborhood?

Stationary. Start it up take to 2000-2500 RPM immediately for 25 minutes, or what you cam manufacturer recommends. It helps to have someone checking for leaks while you are in the cab monitoring rpm, oil pressure and water temp. If it gets hot, shut it down and let cool. After its cooled down start back up and finish breaking in your cam.

[crustodd]

Do I turn it over with the starter, maybe fuel pump fuse out, and coil wire pulled to get the oil pressure up first before actually starting it and having it run on it's own?

T~

[SilverXJ]

You could use an old flat head screw driver on a drill to prim the oil system with the dis out then slip it back in. If you prime the engine with the starter its best to have the plugs out so you can spin the engine faster and easier.

As for the cooling I haven't had any over heating issues during the several cam break ins that I did. However, I did remove the e-fan's relay and jumper it to make it run constantly to cool my header off.

-Chris

[John]

Make a shaft that will fit through your distributor shaft opening and engage the slot in your oil pump. Hook a electric drill motor to this shaft and run it until you fill the pump prime, You can use a screw in pressure gauge on screwed into a oil port to see the pressure. I pack the oil pump with Vaseline during assembly to help with the priming. I have used a old, large screwdriver with the handle removed to make this shaft and now use a old distributor with the top, rotor button, etc. and cam gear removed. Set it as if mounting a distributor and hook a drill motor to the exposed shaft. Prime it, swap dizzys, connect wiring and start it up.
John

[dwg86]

I think a small bock chevy primer rod will work on the oil pump shaft. It has one end turned down to fit a 3/8 drill. The other end has a plastic bushing that fits over the oil pump shaft to keep it from sliding off. I used one on my 401 to prime the engine.