[Mgs] Mgs Digest, Vol 68, Issue 13

[Max Heim]

I didn't break in the original cam -- the engine was used when I got it. It
lasted a considerable period of time, using Castrol 20w-50 before that was
reformulated. At some time after that, it suffered fairly rapid
deterioration. Not necessarily cause and effect, I grant you, but I'm taking
it as a data point.

I used dino oil WITH ZDDP as well as cam lube on the replacement, and
followed the break-in procedures. So far so good.

--

Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Menlo Park, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires


on 1/11/13 11:44 AM, Duvall Video Productions at mike at duvallvideo.com wrote:

> Max,  Did you follow the manufacturers instructions for break in?  Crane cams
> doesn't say you need to use special additives forever with only that you use
> break in oils......
> 
> 
> 
> CRANE FLAT TAPPET CAMSHAFT RECOMMENDED BREAK-IN PROCEDURE
> Due to the EPAs mandate for zinc removal from most motor oils, proper flat
> tappet camshaft break-in procedure is more critical than ever before. This is
> true for both hydraulic and mechanical flat tappet Camshafts. As a point of
> interest, the most critical time in the life of a flat tappet camshaft is the
> first 20 minutes of break-in during which the bottoms of the tappets
> mate-in with the cam lobes.
> 
> On Jan 11, 2013, at 12:10 PM, mgs-request at autox.team.net wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Message: 9
>> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:04:59 -0800
>> From: Max Heim <mvheim at sonic.net>
>> To: MG List <mgs at autox.team.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Mgs] Mgs Digest, Vol 68, Issue 12
>> Message-ID: <CD15944B.4273A%mvheim at sonic.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>> 
>> Well, personal experience counts for more than "antidotal" [sic]
> information
>> in my book. So after replacing the cam and lifters I am taking the issue
>> very seriously. I wonder, was the SAE testing a 1960s-era flat tappet
>> engine? Or just performing laboratory wear tests on a jig?