There is no way of building a engine with out turning it over, the trick is to minimize the revolutions once the rockers are on. On V8's its not as critical as you can dump a bottle of break-in oil over the whole cam assembly when you are done, on our inlines, thats very hard to do. Just use the best good oil made for break-in. Once the engine starts and the pump starts working, all the grease and additives will be blended together and splashed up on the lobes where its needed. As long as the engine is running and its not getting hot, leave it alone, even slight lifter noise is OK. I let them run till the 15 to 20 minutes has passed, then I start setting the timing and carb.
On the engines I build, I won't install the lifters till I know I don't have to turn the engine over any more. And I won't set the rocker arms till its ready to be installed and run. I don't like the valve springs loaded if its not going to be run for a while. And if I know its going to set for a year while the body work is being done, I grease the heck out of everything and insist on being there when its going to be started so I can see thats its primed proper.
You have done all you can and have done it right. Like I said above, use the best oil you can ( VR1 racing oil, Brad Penn break -in oil, Comp Cams break-in oil ) are some of the best out there. GM EOS is also a good choice. Have a known working carb on and adjusted, have the timing close and wires on right, have the valves adjust close, install the exhaust system ( you need to hear the engine), and most important of all, have a fully charged battery and new cables.
Don't forget the fire extinguisher, water hose, rags, screw driver, and helper. Be prepared before you start, keep the area clean so you can move about. If you have a extra oil pressure gauge, " T " it into the stock oil line so you can watch it from under the hood. And the most import thing, don't leave it alone !
Joe
