hydraulic cam break in mule block

Posted By: mgoblue9798

hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/22/21 08:49 PM

Anyone attempted using a mule block set up for cam break in?

Is anyone offering this type of service?

Thinking of setting up an electric motor with a rheostat to spin the cam, plum the block with external electric pump to oil the cam journals, spray bar for the lobes, and run lines to the rocker arm shafts.

Interested in you guys thoughts on this.

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/22/21 09:04 PM

Every block is different, so the position of each lifter to its lobe will be slightly different when the assembly is transferred to the engine.

Posted By: fast68plymouth

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/22/21 09:42 PM

When you’re really really really worried about the cam going flat........ you pony up for the roller.

Posted By: '72CudaRacer

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/22/21 09:49 PM

I've lost two engines that the cam and lifters survived in (solid lifter). I used the cam and lifters in the replacement engines and lost both cams in short order. My conclusion is that lifters don't like being swapped into different engines after being broken in.

Brian

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/22/21 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by fast68plymouth

When you’re really really really worried about the cam going flat........ you pony up for the roller.

...and pray it doesn’t come apart! LOL

Posted By: mgoblue9798

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/22/21 10:34 PM

Thanks to everyone for the input. If I go any further with this sounds like I need to find a way to use the same block the cam will run in to do it.

Posted By: Gavin

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/25/21 09:26 PM

These Ford guys don't seem to think block to block variation is an issue....
Cam Research

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/25/21 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Pacnorthcuda

Every block is different, so the position of each lifter to its lobe will be slightly different when the assembly is transferred to the engine.

Bingo. Jim Dowel (Racer Brown) and I had this very discussion and he recommended to not use a broken in cam in another block. It I was in a spot and had to try a cam I successfully ran before in a different block. I did it’s job and gave me time but it did wipe out the cam and lifters. He went on to say factory specs are the issue

Posted By: fourgearsavoy

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/26/21 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by Gavin

These Ford guys don't seem to think block to block variation is an issue....
Cam Research

I know a racer that runs an FE 427 in stock classes and he has used this service with success (didn't eat the cam in short order)

Maybe Ford blocks are different and the lifter bores are machined more accurately but they have been doing this service for quite a while now.

Gus

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: hydraulic cam break in mule block - 05/26/21 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by fourgearsavoy

Originally Posted by Gavin

These Ford guys don't seem to think block to block variation is an issue....
Cam Research

I know a racer that runs an FE 427 in stock classes and he has used this service with success (didn't eat the cam in short order)

Maybe Ford blocks are different and the lifter bores are machined more accurately but they have been doing this service for quite a while now.

Gus

You are always going to get a split percentage both ways. Heck I changed 4 lifters in a 360 I built for my van in an ocean city parking garage with zero issues. I always kept a spare box of solid lifters in my race car trailer for 3 day race weekends.