Breaking in a cam
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
Not as critical in this application, but worth mentioning since we are talking about proper cam break in. Assembly lube has been mentioned, but not the type of oil. One reason people wipe lobes on aggresive cams during break-in is that current day oils have a very poor zinc content. There are zinc additives you can buy, or just use a racing oil with a high zinc package. Valvoline racing oil is one example...its cheap insurance.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Is a zinc-rich oil needed if you use the cam break-in lube that's moly (and zinc, I'm sure) and it turns the oil that creamy silver ? 
Plenty of extra in the oil after that stuff washes off the cam ...
Plenty of extra in the oil after that stuff washes off the cam ...
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
On second thought, I see Summit sells Crane zinc additive, $8.50 ...
And the Crane Super Moly lube for cam break-in doesn't contain zinc...
But, don't use the moly lube on roller lifters...
And the Crane Super Moly lube for cam break-in doesn't contain zinc...
But, don't use the moly lube on roller lifters...
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 2
From: Boise, Idaho
It's not the Zinc itself that's needed, it's the rest of the compound in the ZDDP; Zinc-Diaryl (or Dialkyl) -Dithio-Phosphate. This stuff is a high pressure lubricant that bonds to the Iron Oxide of the cam lobes and lifter surfaces. The Zinc is lost when it bonds to the Iron Oxide of the cam surfaces. In fact, because the Zinc is freed from the ZDDP when it bonds to the cam, the Zinc becomes a problem for catalytic converters; Zinc poisons cats.
Anyway, that's what I was trying to say, use a ZDDP compound on the lifters to help the cam lobes survive break-in. Once the cam has its coating of the DDP part of ZDDP, you just need enough ZDDP in the oil to maintain the coating. And you don't need to pay extreme prices, go to WalMart and get the cheap stuff, it works the same.
Anyway, that's what I was trying to say, use a ZDDP compound on the lifters to help the cam lobes survive break-in. Once the cam has its coating of the DDP part of ZDDP, you just need enough ZDDP in the oil to maintain the coating. And you don't need to pay extreme prices, go to WalMart and get the cheap stuff, it works the same.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Yep, it's Zinc Dialkyldithiophospate that's needed. I've found that diesel rated oil (CH-4, CI-4) has loads of ZDDP in it, and works great with flat tappet cams like we have. As an added benefit it keeps the inside of your motor spotless, due to the extra detergency required of a diesel oil.
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