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.
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 08/27/2211:50 AM08/27/2211:50 AM
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.
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.
A bearing knife, a bearing scraper, is your friend on a lot of stock BB Mopar blocks with new cam bearings I was told that the factory align hone or align bored all of the cam bearings in BB back in the day I've had to scrape more of them than not with new bearings, maybe 30 % are okay I now install one bearing at a time and check fit the cam for each bearing If it is tight rotate it so you can see the high spots and scrape them until it spins freely It may take several scrapings to get them like you like them 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
Last edited by Cab_Burge; 08/27/2202:06 PM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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...
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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.
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
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
'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
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
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
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 ?
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.
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 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 If the bearings are the stock type soft Babbitt the cam will make them fit into them
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: New block, tight cam, fix?
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#3071990 08/28/2207:51 AM08/28/2207:51 AM
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 08/28/2209:45 AM08/28/2209:45 AM
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; 08/28/2209:51 AM.
Re: New block, tight cam, fix?
[Re: gregsdart]
#3072015 08/28/2210:15 AM08/28/2210:15 AM
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 08/28/2210:22 AM08/28/2210:22 AM
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.
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.