Camshaft breakin

Topic: Camshaft breakin (Read 1579 times) previous topic - next topic

Camshaft breakin

November 19, 2005, 02:25:30 AM

God willing I'll soon be starting my rebuilt engine and the first thing I have to observe is the camshaft breakin procedure. I need to run the engine between 1500 and 2000 rpm for 20 minutes. Problem is my car doesn't have a tach and although I'd like to get one I'd rather not pay $100 or so for one that goes with the interior right now. Any chance I can make do with the speedometer? Also if you happen to have an AOD transmission and could spare a minute to feel the oil cooler lines to see which one is the tranny return I need to know so I can install my new cooler. Thanks.

Camshaft breakin

Reply #1 – November 19, 2005, 02:29:32 AM

do you have a digital volt meter? some have an option for a tachometer on it

Camshaft breakin

Reply #2 – November 19, 2005, 02:31:32 AM

Afraid not. Though I suppose I could get one if I had to.

Camshaft breakin

Reply #3 – November 19, 2005, 07:36:17 AM

well if you have time, any auto show or some garrage sales, you can find little cheap tac's for like 10 bux. dam,... i just had one at a friends house i would have giv'n ya if i had know. how about go'n to a junkyard and getting a buttstuffog setup? or ebay, i always see em on their for like 20$

Camshaft breakin

Reply #4 – November 19, 2005, 07:41:44 AM

I just bought a small cheap one from autozone or advanced.

Camshaft breakin

Reply #5 – November 19, 2005, 09:13:26 AM

Hold it at a fast idle, and vary the speed up and down every minute or two. But do not let it idle for more than a few seconds..

I'd have 5-30 oil in it for the startup. (I run it all the time in my 5.0 TC).

Camshaft breakin

Reply #6 – November 19, 2005, 01:56:17 PM

Then there's alway the problem of 100.00 Matching tach, or 200.00+ for a new camshaft, and the time and effort to pull the old one out and put the new one in....

Camshaft breakin

Reply #7 – November 20, 2005, 07:13:56 PM

Don't forget to change the oil after the break in procedure.

Camshaft breakin

Reply #8 – November 20, 2005, 08:54:26 PM

K I bought a cheap tach yesterday. That takes care of that. I'd still really like to know which transmission cooler line is the return so I can install the cooler before I start up.

Camshaft breakin

Reply #9 – November 24, 2005, 07:55:23 AM

that's easy,

all you need to do is process of elimination,

disconect one of the tranny lines, and start the car for a breif second, find out which way the fluid is flowing, and go from there, be sure to put your tranny cooler after the radiator.

Camshaft breakin

Reply #10 – November 24, 2005, 02:14:28 PM

Pretty sure the return is the top line.

Camshaft breakin

Reply #11 – November 25, 2005, 12:47:02 AM

Rats. I guessed the bottom one was the return. The cooler is already installed and in fact I just cranked the engine tonight. It ran hot and flooded after 10 minutes, the carb apparently went south from sitting on a shelf all this time, so says my uncle the mechanic. I just thought I'd take this chance to make sure I have the right firing order. I'm using the firing order that 302s used for 82 and before. The cam I bought is non-roller and presumably HO, if I recall the computer screen readout when I bought it, it was for Mustangs 69 onward. The shop couldn't tell me for certain and the manufacturer ignored my question. I'm pretty sure I have the right order but it's good to be sure.