I had a summit cam and lifters go bad in 30 or so miles. I contacted Summit and they denied the claim because I didn't break it in correctly. He said the break in oil I used should have been changed right after I ran the engine the initial 30 minutes, instead of driving it with the break in oil in it. Learn something new every day. I didn't know that was in the break in instructions.
I thought it was standard practice to dump the oil after the initial break in. For one thing you can look at the oil and inspect for anything unusual. That and it's full of moly grease, cam lube or whatever other stuff you lube things with for break in. Dump it, fresh oil +filter then drive.
That’s a bummer, but yeah- always drain, and inspect oil, remove, cut open, and inspect filter, then replace all after initial break in. Also doesn’t hurt to drive only a few miles after, and repeat to see if anything changes under load. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
That brake in oil is too abrasive for regular use.. Also, never use GM EOS in your oil unless you are braking a new motor in... Did they give you instructions with the cam kit?
I have a set way of breaking in new cams and it includes dumping the oil and filter after the initial cam break in. I follow whatever else is on the cam card.
Not always, but many times the cam break in is on a new / newly rebuilt engine so even more reason to dump the oil after the initial run in session.
Howards does offer a hydraulic cam/lifter package with a No-Fault warrantee....but you have to pay about $50 more to get that guarantee. They are called "Max-Certified", unconditional No-Fault 5 year warrantee no matter what the cause...bad oil, you screw-up the break-in, miss-measure coil bind or retainer-to-guide clearance and stack the valvetrain solid, rocker slot binds on stud, blow the bottom end out and a rod hits the cam, drop it on the floor as you go to install it and it breaks in two...covered....doesn't matter, 5-year guarantee free replacement.
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