Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
New block, tight cam, fix? #3071783
08/27/22 10:43 AM
08/27/22 10:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,982
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart Offline OP
master
gregsdart  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,982
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
The cam was run in my megablock, so apparently the new aluminum block is the problem. I could take it back to the machine shop, but if there is a way to fix this in my shop would be better. My first move is to get out my dial bore gauge and start mesuring bearings and cam in both blocks.


8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: gregsdart] #3071794
08/27/22 11:26 AM
08/27/22 11:26 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 692
Southern Alberta
Uberpube Offline
mopar
Uberpube  Offline
mopar

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 692
Southern Alberta
Are they babbit bearings like stock? On my one stock block the cam would go in but not turn with new bearings. Brushed the bearings in Dykem, then took off the tight spots with a bearing scraper.

Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: Uberpube] #3071801
08/27/22 11:50 AM
08/27/22 11:50 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,726
Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel Offline
Too Many Posts
John_Kunkel  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,726
Rio Linda, CA
Very common problem, a good shop should fit the cam before returning the block to the customer. A bearing scraper or an old cam with diagonal cuts on the journals can be used to size the bearings.

Cambream.jpg

The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: Uberpube] #3071808
08/27/22 12:26 PM
08/27/22 12:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,264
New York, USA
Chargerfan68 Offline
pro stock
Chargerfan68  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,264
New York, USA
Originally Posted by Uberpube
Are they babbit bearings like stock? On my one stock block the cam would go in but not turn with new bearings. Brushed the bearings in Dykem, then took off the tight spots with a bearing scraper.


Yes….i’ve had to do this on more than half of the engines I’ve done. Not hundreds….but not 2 either.


1.50 60Ft. , 10.75@ 127MPH Hauling 3900 LBS.
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: gregsdart] #3071812
08/27/22 12:39 PM
08/27/22 12:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,097
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Online work
I Win
Cab_Burge  Online Work
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,097
Bend,OR USA
A bearing knife, a bearing scraper, is your friend on a lot of stock BB Mopar blocks with new cam bearings wrench shruggy
I was told that the factory align hone or align bored all of the cam bearings in BB back in the day confused shruggy
I've had to scrape more of them than not with new bearings, maybe 30 % are okay rant
I now install one bearing at a time and check fit the cam for each bearing scope wrench If it is tight rotate it so you can see the high spots and scrape them until it spins freely wrench It may take several scrapings to get them like you like them scope wrench
That is a pain but a lot faster than having to determine which bearing, bearings are tight and need scraping with all of them in the block shruggy

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 08/27/22 02:06 PM.

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: Cab_Burge] #3071832
08/27/22 01:40 PM
08/27/22 01:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,361
Out of the State of Confusion
blue_stocker Offline
pro stock
blue_stocker  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,361
Out of the State of Confusion
Most OEM iron blocks have tight tunnels and some of the shops would hone the tunnels for proper bearing fit or crush priorto bearing installation. Since it's not OEM iron and assuming you're looking at a sleeve-type bearing, I would measure the tunnel bores prior to installing the bearings, just my 2 cents...


I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson

Freedom must be repurchased by every new generation
General Daniel Jones, WW2 Tuskegee Airmen
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: blue_stocker] #3071835
08/27/22 01:56 PM
08/27/22 01:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,629
Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Offline
master
rickseeman  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,629
Stuttgart, Arkansas
Because of where you are at now, John's idea is the easiest fix. Just use a whizzer wheel on your air grinder and an old camshaft and cut those little grooves (mine are straight) in the cam. Then stand the block on it's bellhousing and using oil and a drill and cut the bearings to size. Having said that, now I use Cab's way and do the bearings one at a time, test fit, and use a bearing scraper (or the side of a flat head screwdriver) if needed.


2011 Drag Pak Challenger
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: rickseeman] #3071839
08/27/22 02:22 PM
08/27/22 02:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,249
North Carolina
4
469runner Offline
pro stock
469runner  Offline
pro stock
4

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,249
North Carolina
I have used some fine emory cloth to sand on the bearings a bit. Might be some useful information for you here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfBY8VfZa6A&ab_channel=Nick%27sGarage

Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: 469runner] #3071856
08/27/22 03:17 PM
08/27/22 03:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,982
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart Offline OP
master
gregsdart  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,982
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
Thanks guys. Will check and see with a dial bore gauge, dykem, what ever it takes to figure it out. Then find a cam core,,,,,,,,


8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: John_Kunkel] #3071866
08/27/22 04:03 PM
08/27/22 04:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,915
A shed in England
Tig Offline
master
Tig  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,915
A shed in England
Originally Posted by John_Kunkel
Very common problem, a good shop should fit the cam before returning the block to the customer. A bearing scraper or an old cam with diagonal cuts on the journals can be used to size the bearings.


I remember having this issue with my new KB block and new cam. I was horrified when my old engine builder (godspeed) brushed some blue stuff on the bearings, turned the cam and scuffed off the high spots with what looked like an old penknife ! We are still running the same block and cam 11 years later blush grin up


'74 Challenger..9.46 @ 145.9 1/4, 6.001 @ 118 1/8 so far. 4023lb !!! # N/A, Marsh performance 655ci, Indy Maxx, T/R, Indy 600-13 X's, Street legal, pump gas, full interior, Cal-Tracs, mufflers, 3:73's and real 10.5 radials.
9.51 @ 142.4 1/4, 6.003 @ 114 1/8 with our old mule KB, 572-13, 580 wedge.
RHD '68 Barracuda Fastback 323ci street/strip. Best ET 13.88 @ 99.03
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: Tig] #3071914
08/27/22 08:08 PM
08/27/22 08:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
M
madscientist Offline
master
madscientist  Offline
master
M

Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
Originally Posted by Tig
Originally Posted by John_Kunkel
Very common problem, a good shop should fit the cam before returning the block to the customer. A bearing scraper or an old cam with diagonal cuts on the journals can be used to size the bearings.


I remember having this issue with my new KB block and new cam. I was horrified when my old engine builder (godspeed) brushed some blue stuff on the bearings, turned the cam and scuffed off the high spots with what looked like an old penknife ! We are still running the same block and cam 11 years later blush grin up


That’s exactly how I do it. Blue the bearings, find the high spots and bearing knife the high spots out and send it.


Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: madscientist] #3071922
08/27/22 08:24 PM
08/27/22 08:24 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 903
Washington
H
hemienvy Offline
super stock
hemienvy  Offline
super stock
H

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 903
Washington
Question:
How much material do you estimate is being scraped off by whatever scraper you are using ? A few 10-thousanths ?
So the bearing bore is no longer EXACTLY round, a teeny bit egg-shaped ?

Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: hemienvy] #3071925
08/27/22 08:30 PM
08/27/22 08:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,389
nielsville, minn.
Q
quickd100 Offline
master
quickd100  Offline
master
Q

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,389
nielsville, minn.
My old Machinist use to line bore the cam tunnel and then locktite the bearings. You could spin the cam with one finger just like it was on roller bearings.

Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: hemienvy] #3071935
08/27/22 09:07 PM
08/27/22 09:07 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,097
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Online work
I Win
Cab_Burge  Online Work
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,097
Bend,OR USA
Originally Posted by hemienvy
Question:
How much material do you estimate is being scraped off by whatever scraper you are using ? A few 10-thousanths ? Lots more than a few 10,000 thousand whistling AKA, way more than .001+
So the bearing bore is no longer EXACTLY round, a teeny bit egg-shaped ?

You need to remember that the lifters are not pushing straight down, they are making the cam rock back and forth in the bottom 1/3 of the cam bearings work scope
If the bearings are the stock type soft Babbitt the cam will make them fit into them shruggy work


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: Cab_Burge] #3071990
08/28/22 07:51 AM
08/28/22 07:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,379
Abilene, Texas
F
fastmark Offline
master
fastmark  Offline
master
F

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,379
Abilene, Texas
It’s not just the bores being tight on the block but core shifting around because of the heating and cooling cycles on a used block. Sometimes the new cam can be a little bigger as well. I can remember the last time I installed cam bearings and the fit WITHOUT using a bearing knife on the bearings. I use some scotch brite cloth on the bores afterwards to smooth up the bearings before final fit.

Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: gregsdart] #3072011
08/28/22 09:45 AM
08/28/22 09:45 AM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 159
West Palm Beach, Florida
C
Craig J Offline
member
Craig J  Offline
member
C

Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 159
West Palm Beach, Florida
During a cam swap I found one cam bearing spun and the others looked horrible. After installing new durabond cam bearings the old cam would not even come close to going back in, so I used the "cam cutter" suggested on this forum.

The first pass removed a large amount of material from the 4th bearing and a small amount from the first bearing.

I used the scotch bright pad on the drill with WD40 to smooth out the surface of the cam bearings... I am not sure if that helps or hurts but it made them "feel" much smoother. I probably don't want to know what sort of stuff the scotch bright pad embeds in the babbitt,

After about 30 more passes I got to this point. Note: After I got the cam to go in and rotate smooth I pulled the entire engine apart, deburr, hone, clean, new rod bearings main bearings.... etc...


Last edited by Craig J; 08/28/22 09:51 AM.
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: gregsdart] #3072015
08/28/22 10:15 AM
08/28/22 10:15 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 288
Nevada
M
merpar Offline
enthusiast
merpar  Offline
enthusiast
M

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 288
Nevada
Just had the same problem in a 383 block. Motor had a Isky cam and fit fine. Comp Cams, cam would not fit. I compared journals in size. The Comp cam was .001 larger on every journal. I put it in the lathe and polished every journal down .001, slid right in. If its a Comp cam check the journal sizes.

Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: merpar] #3072021
08/28/22 10:22 AM
08/28/22 10:22 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,923
NC
440Jim Offline
I Live Here
440Jim  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,923
NC
The BMP aluminum block does not come with cam bearings.
The shop that machined my bores, etc installed new Clevite cam bearings for $75. The cam fit perfect.
He told me the factory Mopar blocks had cam alignment minor issues, but most of the new aftermarket blocks don't have any issues with the cam bearings.

Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: Craig J] #3072093
08/28/22 02:58 PM
08/28/22 02:58 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,097
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Online work
I Win
Cab_Burge  Online Work
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,097
Bend,OR USA
I found that the Durabond chill bearings fit real well, most of the time up scope
They are the only cam bearings I will use now up


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: New block, tight cam, fix? [Re: Cab_Burge] #3072100
08/28/22 03:46 PM
08/28/22 03:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
Striving for excellence
Kern Dog  Offline
Striving for excellence

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
I have had to clearance the bearings in my 440 build the last time and this most recent rebuild. The 383 in my other car needed it too. I'm getting to where it would surprise me if a cam fit without any additional work.

Page 1 of 2 1 2






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1