I broke in the cam at 2,500-3,500 rpm for about 25 minutes. I have never actually wiped a cam lobe yet. How soon would I know? I thought removing the inner spring would help avoid this?
Sadly, if you don't run a specialty oil like Brad Penn or a racing oil specifically designed for flat tappets chances will be much greater for a wiped cam lobe. I had one go away years ago on an old Purple Shaft after 4 or 5K miles. You will hear and feel it when and if you lose one. The bad part is that all that hardened metal goes through your motor. Another reason I like Jomar no-bypass oil filters. Just don't run one on your daily driver.
They removed a lot of the high pressure lubricants from-off-the-shelf street legal oils like zinc from the modern oils because they would eventually foul the catalytic converters at 60 to 80k + miles. A lot of flat tappet cammed motors have been affected by this change. Most modern engines have roller lifters. I upgraded my 440 with an aftermarket hydraulic roller, and my 408 Magnum uses roller lifters too.
