cam breakin and new trans ?

[69chargerdad]

  We're going to start up the engine for the first this weekend and break in the cam.  One question,  we rebuilt the trans  and have a new 2500 stall TCI converter.  TCI says to raise the rear wheels off the ground 3 inches and run the engine.   I suppose this is for the trans pump to fill the converter.   Will or can i hurt the engine during cam break in  ?    Ken

[Chryco Psycho]

put the tranny in neutral so the pump is turning , raising the back wheels cannot hurt , put 6 qts in the trans before startiung the engine & set you timing as soon as the engine fires up & then fill the tranny while the cam is breaking in 

[69chargerdad]

thanks Chryco ,  thats what we had planed on doing,   what do you think the timing should be at 2000  rpm ?   Ken

[firefighter3931]

Ken, shoot for 35* at breakin speed. This will keep the engine running cooler. If the timing is retarded, the fuel ends up burning in the header tube instead of in the combustion chamber....where it's supposed to. A big fan in front of the rad also helps during breakin, depending on how warm it is where you are. 

Ron

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree

[69chargerdad]

   thanks guys.  it's going to be about 40  to 45 on sat and sun. we do have a 4 foot fan just in case.  we'll let you know how it went.    ken and marcus

[firefighter3931]

You're welcome...good luck with the fireup and breakin. One suggestion : Go to your local GM dealer and ask for a bottle of EOS (engine oil supplement) at the parts counter. This is a special breakin lube that has lots of goodies that protect your cam and lifters during the critical breakin period. Once the cam is broken in, drain the oil and change the filter asap to rid the engine of the bearing material and moly lube that will be floating around in your oil. Change again at 500 miles, then normal intervals after that. 

Use good oil such as Castrol gtx, Valvoline racing or Shell rotella 15-40 diesel oil. All of these have important anti scuff additives that the newer "lightweight" formulations lack, namely Zinc and Phosphorus. Your engine will thank you ! 

Ron