Cam bearings?

Tom P · Post by **Tom P** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:45 pm

Does any one know where I can get a set of cam bushings in the states? I would like to get my block "hot tanked" but need to replace the bushings if I do.

Thank you!
Tom

Post by **Brian** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:37 pm

You should not need to replace the camshaft bearings. We cleaned the blocks in hot caustic soda and did not replace them.

Tom P · Post by **Tom P** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:05 pm

I talked to the guy that runs the shop. He said they need do need to be replaced. Maybe I can hang it and spray it out with brake cleaner, though it won't be a nic.

BearCreek Majors · Post by **BearCreek Majors** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:15 pm

Tom, proceed with caution! You will most likely not find replacement cam bearings. They are no longer available and will not cross over to any off the shelf size bearings. I searched for months thru venders spec sheets and came close with the ID & OD but still nothing suitable in width for the front bearing which is wider than the rest. One of my engines was down to the brass on the bottom side of the bearing and I put the engine back together this way, as is it’s been running fine and with good oil pressure. If you have no choice but to replace them you can probably get by with the narrower off the shelf inserts for all the back ones, and possibly machine down two of them to press in the front, and holes & slots will have to be mode in the correct places. Or just have a machine shop make a complete set from brass. Remember to remove the “hard surface” from a new cam when using inserts.
As the engines were designed to run the cams in the cast iron machined surface in the block, you engine has been bored to accept service bearings, this may also be the case with your crankshaft. The blocks were line bored and .015 oversize OD service bearings were installed (do not confuse with oversize ID bearings that are available in .010, 20, 30 etc). If this is the case with your block, you’re going to have a bad day. Again these bearings are no longer available and the choices are few, replace the block, reuse your old bearings if possible, or use the MacGyver method of shimming new inserts. The MacGyver method is covered in one of my earlier threads.

Pat

Tom P · Post by **Tom P** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:56 am

Thanks for the info pat! They seem pretty good. I will just leave them in the block and clean the block out the best I can with some sort of cleaner. Their is a 2 piece thrust type bearing on the cam and one half is busted into 3 pieces. I can make a new one easy enough. Can you recomend a type of steel and hardness?

Tom