I think I have lost my cam on run in    I had the engine built here in Bakersfield and ran the cam in on a run in stand at the house.  I followed Comps and the engine builders instructions explictly.  After about 20 min during run in, #6 intake rocker arm (455 olds stock non adjustable setup) started making some noise.  After run in, we pulled the valve cover and did some investigation.  The rocker arm had some play in it and the bridge assembly was tight.  We started it again and it seemed to quiet down a lot.  Also, timing is set and all else is good.  I ran it last night to see if it was still quiet and... it got louder and number 3 an 5 started making noise,  then it started to shoot some ducks, which convinced me that the cam was going to sh*t.  So the engine is going back to the builder.

The cam is a Comp Cam 280H and the builder said that he was going to have .030 lift extra ground into it when it was built.   

So, what are your opinions on Comp Cams??  has anyone had alot of trouble with them.  (This is the third one that we have lost.  Lost one in a 350 chevy, 302 Ford and now this)  Maybe we are not doing some thing right, but we have never lost a Crane, Isky, etc.

Wow, I was hoping to see the troubleshooting answer posted here.  Oh well.   

Torco oils!! High zinc content!!  Or use part # cca-159.

We sell Comp cams with no problems. I bet you are using the wrong oil. We are seeing this problem alot with the new oil that is on the market.

I used what the engine builder put in it.  Chevron Dalo 400 40wt.  He said to use this because of the zinc.

BINGO
but really, what oil did you use, what was the spring pressure on the seat and over the nose, what rpm did you sustain while breaking in the cam. was there excessive cranking before initial fire did you use anything on the cam while installing it, did you prime the oil system before firing it (did you prime it too much washing the break in lube off the cam) have you cut open the oil filter to look for metal, did you remove the manifold and look at the cam and bottom of the lifter.

i know its a lot of ?'s but all need to be answered to get a better diag

Oil was Chevron Dalo 40 wt.  not sure of the spring pressure
RPM was 2500
Engine turned over 2 to 3 times and fired (no timing issue)
the engine builder installed and primed the pump
I have not drained the oil or cut open the filter because I am taking the engine back to Reynolds, (engine builder)

I use comp cams and have never had any problems with them....comp recommends the SHELL ROTELLA T not Delo though they also have a cam break in additive that if not used will void warranty and what is spring pressure on the seat over the nose, all factors did you use comp lifters? good luck

 You said the engine builder had .030 extra lift ground in the cam( which dosent make sence if got the right cam to begin with). Did comp grind it or a local that maybe went thru the heat treat and didnt retreat it.

These are all axcellent points and is why I paid to have the engine built / assembled and will be taking it back!!

Comp cams usually have a quicker ramp rate than other cams, that means more power, but more break-in issues too. Break-in happens once, Horsepower is forever. Whatever is worth it for you. Boat pans often are 8,10,or 12 quarts and car pans are usually 4-6 quarts, soooooo the break-in additive bottle is sized for a quantity of oil that is half or two thirds of what you have in your engine. 8quart pan, use two bottles of additive, 12 quart pan, use three. For cam break-in you can use racing oil, marked as "NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE". It has the exterem pressure additive that you need. We like to use it for hydraulic cam applications because it has more anti foamants, it allows the lifters to stay pumped up more and so it is good for a small HP boost.   TIMINATOR

Because I am curious, how is a cam broken in on a new car or truck?

ok broke in the new cam today!!!  ran it between 1500 and 2000 for 15 minutes.  no wierd sounds afterwards, sounds as tight was when i put it together.  used the comp cams break in additive.  machine shop owner said that stuff is pretty much zinc in a bottle and to run it or something like it in every oil change.