Cam Break in Question

Cam Break in Question

i would suggest using straight 30 weight "racing' oil,
and a bottle of GM Engine Oil supplement, while breaking a new cam in.

The newer engine oils have very little of the zinc high pressure additive in them. I have read this in more than one place, link below was the fastest to find.

Also make sure to use the goop the cam maker supplies on the cam lobes.

http://www.lazercams.com/index.html

TechNote:

Under pressure from the major Detroit automakers, the engine oil manufacturers have removed the zinc additive from engine oil. The really bad news is that this increases camshaft and follower failure rates enormously during the break-in time. If you can find a zinc additive for engine oil, that helps greatly. GM's EOS break=in lube has been a faithful option, too. I have heard that the Valvoline racing oil that's labled "not for highway use" may still have the zinc in it. Napa has made a commitment to keep this oil in stock.

There have been no changes in camshaft or follower materials or heat treatment from ANY of us in the racing aftermarket. The increased failure rates are due to the missing zinc in addition to the usual assembly related problems we've been discussing the last thirty years or so. Keeping open spring pressures as low as possible is now more important than ever.