Is this normal (cam break-in)?

I got my 318 started up and proceeded to break-in the cam for about 20 minutes, keeping the revs around 2000-3000. I had filled up the coolant system with water from my garden hose, though, and after about 10 minutes the temp gauge went way up (to around 220*) and the water was boiling into the catch can. I kind of panicked and shut down the engine with still about 10 minutes to go on the break-in. Is this normal for straight water to boil like this, and will I still be able to break the engine in properly? I know the water pump and T-stat are working because after it heated up I saw the upper rad hose collapse, then open back up (I'm assuming as the T-stat opened up).
Author: admin