Jeep Strokers

4.6, 944-030 pistons comp 242 cam, local Aussie springs, 90lbs closed 130lbs open.
Started right up, good oil pressure, broke in cam, valve train a bit noisy maybe to much lash?
Was shocked at how quick we got to operating temp, ran quite warm even got to 108*c during break in before we started spraying water on the radiator. Temp stabilised toward the end of the breakin with out the need to spray.
Second time it started, just moving the vehicle , not much more than idle, it cam up to operating temp heaps faster than the 4.0 it replaced.
Is this normal?
Is excessive heat a indicator of something other than a new tight motor wearing in?
My mate who helped me was talking about timing, my understanding with the obd1 computer, was either it ran and the computer controlled all timing, you could be one tooth out on the dizzy/ cam sensor& it would run like crap and not idle, or it just would not fire at all.
Is there something else?

Retarded timing could cause it to run hot, but as you said there is no adjustability in the typical sense. You stab the distributor in one spot. Might have to break off an ear to get it to sit where it needs to be though.

108* is a bit hot. An new engine will run a bit warmer, but shouldn't be that much. Check out your cooling system. Could be that it just has an air pocket. New water pump? Is the system building pressure? Did the e-fan come on (if you have one)? How old is the clutch fan?

As for "lash" there should be no lash, but preload. The comp cam will be a bit noisy. Also, 130# open? Are you sure about that?

What is your air fuel ratio like?

I had to grind half an ear off to get the dizzy to sit right.
AFR was 14.7 short term fuel trim was 40 though 703 injectors with a 41-49 psi FPR.
it has a taurus fan running of the PCM, does not switch on till 104*c- like go-jeep.
I have had other problems to sort, its still only done 3-4 starts..
After I posted realised that I have never run the old engine for 25 min at 2000rpm (going absolutely no where) on a 38*c day- its pretty extreme stuff.
I think I will just take it for a run i can always switch both the e-fans on if it starts to get a bit hot.
230lbs valve pressure when open

rainman wrote:Is excessive heat a indicator of something other than a new tight motor wearing in?

G'day, it's probably just normal for a new motor breaking in on a hot summer's day but check the cooling system for any air pockets and top up if necessary.
A lean-running engine will also run hot but at this stage, you'll need to run the engine for at least 100 miles for the ECU to complete its adaptive strategy. Then you can check the LT fuel trims and see how much fuel the ECU is having to add or remove to maintain the correct A/F ratios.