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02-22-2022, 08:07 PM | #1 |
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Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
With the weather finally starting to warm up a little, I decided to start re-assembling the 8BA for my 1950 Ford. I had bought the cam bearings from Rock Auto and installed them months ago, but waited to attempt installing the camshaft until today. It did not go well. as I fed the first cam journal (lubricated, of course) into the front bearing, it stopped about halfway in and would go no further without an unreasonable amount of force.
I know I didn't order undersized bearings, but there were no specs on the Rock Auto page for them. Oh well, I ordered another set from somewhere else. Guess I'll just have to put off this build a little longer. |
02-22-2022, 08:26 PM | #2 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
What brand does Rock auto sell.
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02-22-2022, 08:54 PM | #3 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
The order said "Enginetech model CC507"
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02-22-2022, 10:00 PM | #4 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
How did you install them? Did you have a cam bearing installation tool with the correctly sized mandrel for STD flathead CAM bearings?
Also, I usually polish my bearings with fine Scotchbrite and acetone or lacquer thinner. |
02-22-2022, 10:12 PM | #5 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
I have found a bit of variation in sizes of cam bearings from different manufacturers. I normally install undersized cam bearings, measure the installed size, then grind the journals to suit. Particularly if the camlobes have been ground; the camgrinder drills a centre in the nose of the camshaft, and grinds the lobes between centres. If I use the same centres and grind the journals, I can be assured the entire shaft is concentric. just my anal way of doing things....
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02-22-2022, 10:28 PM | #6 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
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Is it possible that your cam is not running "true"? Can you place it between centers and check it with a dial indicator. On a rebuild, a very long time ago, I had to have my cam straightened by CRANE CAM CO. when they were in Hallandale, FL to make it fit. It's still running well in my 8BA. Last edited by 19Fordy; 02-22-2022 at 10:41 PM. |
02-23-2022, 06:29 AM | #7 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
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02-23-2022, 09:48 AM | #8 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
I'm not concerned so much that the cam may not be running true. That might be the case if the cam had gone farther than 3/4 inch into the first bearing.
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02-23-2022, 11:23 AM | #9 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Again, what did you use to install them?
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02-23-2022, 12:10 PM | #10 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Eric: Flatjack's question is very impotant.
Did you use a cam bearing installation tool? |
02-23-2022, 02:50 PM | #11 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Yes, I used a cam bearing installation tool.
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02-23-2022, 03:01 PM | #12 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Did you have a correctly sized mandrel for a STD Flathead bearing . . . or just use something else to get by?
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02-23-2022, 05:32 PM | #13 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
In any case you are going to have to start over.
Get a set of Durabond bearings. Use a solid steel driving slug, NOT the type with rubber O-rings. The critical dimensions of the driving slug are, 1.795 for the area that sits inside the bearing shell. The slug absolutely must be long enough the go all the way through the shell. COAT THE SLUG WITH HEAVY GREASE BEFORE DRIVING. Be sure the large oil hole is up on all bearings. When done check to make sure the bearing shell does NOT hang over the edge of the oil hole. When using Durabond bearings, I have NEVER had a block that if the cam was straight it wouldn't turn freely after driving the bearings in. The cam should actually SPIN freely for a turn or two with a light coat of oil on the journals and a vigorous spin. |
02-24-2022, 11:22 AM | #14 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Also be sure you have the tapered end enter first.
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02-24-2022, 04:29 PM | #15 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Thanks for all the advice, gentlemen. Looks like I will have to get a better tool to install the next set.
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02-24-2022, 05:40 PM | #16 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Pete ,
This is good info to know,,,,,,,I haven’t put mine in yet,,,,,but,, I am getting closer to it . I have Durabond bearings,,,,,which look like excellent bearings . I was gonna just use a regular driver,,,,,but I guess I had better rethink this . I will just make me a driver out Of cold rolled,,,,,,should be easy enough. Thanks . Tommy |
02-24-2022, 09:54 PM | #17 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Not that I will ever do this job, but I'm curious as to why these bearings cannot be honed.
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02-25-2022, 04:28 AM | #18 | |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Quote:
FWIW I fitted the cam bearings supplied by Rockauto and the cam went in no problem. I used a home made tool and showed it in one of my videos. I just looked and the brand was Mahle Clevite. I believe that is a quality brand. Mart. |
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02-25-2022, 06:17 AM | #19 |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
We’ve been selling our own cam bearing installation tool for nearly ten years. It’s specifically designed for the Ford flathead V8 cam bearings so it wouldn’t be of any use for other types of bearings. However, it works great for Henry’s flathead engine (221, 239, and 255 varieties).
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02-26-2022, 11:30 AM | #20 | |
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Re: Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight
Quote:
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