OK, we use different methods, and, apparently, it works for both of us. The engines I build average $15,000.00 each, and produce from 500 to 750 HP, mostly 355 Cubic inch NASCAR engines. They're run for a 20-minute cam break-in using light valve springs, then we swap to the triple springs with over 300 pounds of seat pressure before doing the dyno run. The engine has at least 2 hours of loaded run time before it ever gets bolted into the car, and it's worn out in less than 1,000 miles of operation.
The originator of this thread is asking about break-in on a 305, an engine that's notorious for wearing out cams. Before I got into race engine building, I made a lot of bucks replacing 305 camshafts, usually caused by oil coking around the EGR passages, locking up the pushrod on #6 cylinder exhaust, and wearing out the cam lobe. Running a short time at no-load at 2,000 RPM does not hurt a modern set of rings, especially with a diamond-honed cylinder wall surface.
Jerry
