This will be my first cam that was actually researched a long time before I buy/install it (not the one in my signature). I'm using springs that have 130 on the seat and 335 over the nose, which is fine... only they are single springs.

Returning the springs isn't an option, and I don't even care that they are single springs except for the break in procedure. Should I get lighter springs to break in the cam? I have some pretty light springs, but I'll only have .020" clearance at full lift :eek: would that be okay for just the break in? How about those break in rockers... are they worth it?

Another thing, is 335 over the nose too much pressure for a flat tappet solid street cam?

I always hear people (online) talking about that you ABSOLUTELY NEED to put lighter springs in when you break in a cam. Thats funny cause time and time again I see people break in cams with serious valve springs and they NEVER have problems.

Sure, maybe it'll be appropriate if you wanna be EXTRA safe but the chances of anything going wrong? Very small.

even w/ 335 over the nose?

If your 020 is piston to valve clearnce you got major problem

.020 to coil bind

Originally posted by Fried_Guy:
.020 to coil bind Thats real close, I would look into getting some better springs and not risk the coil bind tradegy that can occur. It cheaper to do it now than later.... ;)

Casey, for what its worth, I lost two solid flat tappet cams over the last two weeks during break-in. It was different lobes both times. I was using very similar springs as yours, single, but my open pressure was about 340, I checked...I was told by many engine people that it would not be a problem, they are only about 30# more on seat and open than what's spec'd. So I used them, and that's what happened. Now, I'm not saying it was the springs...but I had tons of lube, the engine started right up without cranking, pre-oiled, all the stuff I was supposed to do.
I know people that dont even break in a cam, they just drive it. And lots of others who never go with a lighter spring, and like you said, they dont have any problems. But I wanted to let you know of my recent problems. So who knows....If anything good comes from this, it may be that I'll finally go for that roller cam graemlins/beers.gif

pardon the break-in,anyone know of low-ratio break-in rockers cheaper than 199.99?

Originally posted by bowtie455:
pardon the break-in,anyone know of low-ratio break-in rockers cheaper than 199.99? That's the cheapest I've heard of.

thanx. :D

Online guys said that????

Insurance, man. All I know is that this 'online guy' followed the procedure on my cam card to a "t". Why? Because this 'online guy' is smart enough to know what he doesn't know. I wasn't going to second guess the manufactuer.

Break in on old outer springs only.

Seems pretty clear to me.

Maybe the guys with 'serious' srings are using roller tappets.

hey, will schlock-stock sbc springs handle the lift? A few calls should net you a freebie set of old springs.

For $40 you can buy a new set of the small bbc 1.48" 502 duals. As long as the outers fit your retainers correctly.

For shipping you can borrow a set of Comp924s I have ( which are too light for a 7K redline). Again, ASSUMING they fit your retainers correctly.

As Gene said its cheap insurance. I have a set of UD springs that you could borrow as well. They are a single spring compairable to the CC 924's as far as pressure and height, so Genes springs would probably be better suited since they are dual and will have less pressure since you can remove the inners.

Gene, speaking of those CC 294's, thats what I am running in the 454 now (just broke it in last night). I only plan to spin it up to 6000. Should they be good for that rpm? 288/296 .550/.575 lift UD hyd flat tappet cam.