36 replies to this topic

[phils sprite]

fasanating topic and really good to see diffrent methods of running in.

whats the proper way to run a cam in?? sorry for thread highjack!?

phil.

[TimS]

The proper way is to not let it idle! On start up hold it aboue 2000rpm at least for 20 minutes.

[Clubby1275GT]

just thinking about doing that seems wrong! i know its the right thing to do, but 20mins is a long time to hold it at 2500rpm!

[Dog]

Why is it wrong?
It gets the cam warm etc, so it "wears" correctly... also gives you chance to see/hear any probs that might be happening...

[Clubby1275GT]

ok then, if it has to be done, it has to be done!

can anyone put it in stage order for me i.e

1. turn engine on with no water, let warm then cool

2. fill with water drive for 50 miles

i know everyones opinions differ, but it would just be good to have as a check list, maybe even as a sticky on here if one of the admin dudes wants to?

[fatmini]

never heard of starting engine with no water in it ? that sound like a recipe for disaster if u ask me ???


just start it run it for 20 mins at 2k

then cheack it

then run for 500miles dont go above 3.5k
then change oil and filter and run it again for 500miles dont go above 4.5k

No motor way (or as little as possible ) and dont let it idle for long periods of time either

then thrash away,thats if its set up ok u may need rolling road to sort u out totaly


ps.wish i had gone for the sw5 rather than kent 276

[TimS]

You need water in the engine from the beginning otherwise you end up getting hot spots!

[Clubby1275GT]

ask mr GW and a few others, they recommend doing the run with no water to help bed the cam in!

[Jimmyarm]

Have a look at one of the recent minimags, Mr Calver has some interesting things to say about 'running in' an engine.

Apparently a lot of it is to do with the quality of the build and the hone on the bores

He only takes 20 mins to run an engine in IIRC !

[Clubby1275GT]

any links to his write up about it?

[Dog]

theres two frames of mind...

Build it, rev it 20mins, then go and rag it...
or theres
Run it for 20mins, driving nicely for so many miles, and so on...

you make the choice.... can you afford to rebuild it, if you don't run it in properly?

[TOMMO0302]

theres two frames of mind...

Build it, rev it 20mins, then go and rag it...
or theres
Run it for 20mins, driving nicely for so many miles, and so on...

you make the choice.... can you afford to rebuild it, if you don't run it in properly?

but which way is 'properly'? lol

[TimS]

This is what sait at the begging of the Puma racing website.

"Probably one of the most argued about topics in engine theory you'll ever come across. Everyone has their own opinion ranging from the 'give it death from the start' to treat it with kid gloves for thousands of miles before using it hard. In fact running in an engine is not a single process. The various internal components take different times to reach full efficiency and require different approaches to make sure they bed in properly. "

[TOMMO0302]

Exactly! That article was very good i thought and if i was doing it i would follow that guide, they are engine builders, that is what they do!

[TimS]

Thats right, I would trust it too. I have had similar answers from Simon at Morspeed too.