Windage Trays And Etc During Cam Break-In

As far as who the writer is all it says in the article is "Tech Tips courtesy of Crane Cams" and written by Engine Builder. So who knows the exact provenance of those particular statements. Who wants to opine on plugging, tubing, restricting the lifter galley and any effects on cam break-in? I know plenty have and do. That statement pretty much would rule out doing any of that especially after break-in. Likely not an agreeable statement there either

Quote: "It is not recommended to use any type of oil restrictors to the lifter galley, or use windage trays, baffles, or plug any oil return holes in the valley. Oil has a two-fold purpose, not only to lubricate, but also to draw the heat away from whatever it comes in contact with. The cam needs oil splash from the crankcase and oil run-back from the top of the engine to help draw the heat away. Without this oil flow, all the heat generated at the cam is transferred to the lifter, which can contribute to its early demise."


The issue with that quote is the cam is NOT lubricated by “oil splash from the crankcase”. That’s just wrong. The very last thing you want is oil splashing out of the pan and back up on the cam and lifters.

Neither is the cam lubricated by oil flow back to the pan from the top end. What oil does come down that way ends up getting bashed around by the crank and rods and that’s not good for the oil. That’s some of what windage trays and crank scrapers do...keep the oil in the pan and off the crank. That’s a huge power savings and it keep air out of the oil.