Cam bearings

[T-Mill]

Replacing Cam bearings... never done it before... any tricks, tips, or techniques???

or is this something that must be left to a machine shop...

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Cam bearings

stick a new cam in there while you have the engine apart

[T-Mill]

Re: Cam bearings

That's what I'm doin...


So I figured out that there is a cam bearing installer/removal tool... does anyone know off-hand if autozone/advance rents these?

[T-Mill]

Re: Cam bearings

Has anyone ever done this, and can tell me about it... do I need the tool... can I make a tool... is it easy... is it a pain in the ***?

[Vanquish]

Re: Cam bearings

Get the tool, I'm sure it will make it a hell of a lot easier. If they make a tool for something specific like that, it's usually to ease the process of doing it.

As for the bearings themselves, I can't tell you much on, but here is around what you should be doing:

Lubricate the cam bearing journals and cam lobes with camshaft installation lube. Then, slide the camshaft into the engine. Support the cam near the block and be careful not to scrape or nick the bearings. Install the camshaft thrust plate, and slip the balance shaft drive gear over the cam, aligning it with the keyway and with drive gear and driven gear timing marks aligned. Then, install the timing chain and sprockets. Once that is done, it's time to lubricate the lifters with clean engine oil and install them in the block. If you are going to be reinstalling the original lifters, be sure to return them to their original locations. Then just continue to reinstall everything that was removed during removal of the old camshaft.

Before you starting and running the engine change the oil and oil filter then you are ready to crank it all up and check for leaks.

Good luck, and I hope this helps. Sorry I can't be more specific on the bearings. :( Just make sure that you lubricate them well enough.

[IDoVoodoo]

Re: Cam bearings

^ I see someone has a Haynes manual

[T-Mill]

Re: Cam bearings

Yea, I actually have the block stripped down bare... except for the cam bearings... I'm sure someone on here has replaced cam bearings before right?? even if you took it to the shop... how long did it take, and how much did they charge...

I found the tool online, but the cheapest I could find was like 173 bucks...

[T-Mill]

Re: Cam bearings

I'm just wondering if there's a way to get them out without having the tool... which is the case for other things... like the Haynes manual says you need a special tool to remove the bearing caps, but realistically you don't... I just really don't want to spend money on something that I find out later that I don't need... I could use a big socket and drive them out... but this sounds like a horrible idea... plus I'd still need a way to install them...

[UDLOSE98]

Re: Cam bearings

why are you replacing the bearings to begin with, unless your motor is very high milage or doesnt get an often oil change its a waste of time.

[WickEdSix9838]

Re: Cam bearings

Take it to a machine shop. Cam bearings are around $15-$18 and we usually charge $25 to put new bearings in.

[T-Mill]

Re: Cam bearings

got it... thanks all