E-mailed a cam company to get suggestions on cams and well, they sent back some info: in this e-mail was a note as well; Quote: Note: Under pressure from the major Detroit automakers, the engine oil manufacturers have removed the zinc additive from engine oil . The really bad news is that this increases camshaft and follower failure rates enormously during the break-in time . If you can find a zinc additive for engine oil , that helps greatly . GMs EOS break-in lube has been a faithful option,too. I have heard that the Valvoline racing oil that is labled , not for highway use may still have the zinc in it . Napa has made a commitment to keep this oil in stock. There have been no changes in camshaft or follower materials or heat treatment from ANY of us in the racing aftermarket . The increased failure rates are due to the missing zinc in addition to the usual assembly related problems we have been discussing the last thirty years or so . Keeping open sping pressures as low as possible is now more important than ever .
May help to explain why I wiped 2 new cams last year, although I know excessive spring pressure killed the first one.
