HELP: Front Cam Bearing Damage... Please Look!
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HELP: Front Cam Bearing Damage... Please Look!
Ok... right now I'm pretty much sick to my stomach... this is my frist cam install and I'm scared that I f'ed up bad.
The cam was tought to get out but I went slow pulling and turning etc etc... it got hung up a bunch, but I was patient. At one point it was very stuck then all of a sudden it popped out 4 more inches. I get it all the way out and find that the AC condenser is in the way. So... I easily let the cam hang and get it out of the way, then proceed w/ pulling it out.
Here are the pics... the areas of concern are circeled in red w/ MS Paint and can be hard to see.
Pic 1 the top of the bearing has an odd irregular scratch that can be felt w/ my finger.
Pic 2 the bearing outer edge has two small nicks in it... I'm am unsure if I did these, but they're here now.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/cobra4b/dadsZ06001-1.jpg
[/IMG]
So... can I proceed w/ the cam install? Is this front bearing changeable w/ the motor in the car?
WHAT DO I DO?
The cam was tought to get out but I went slow pulling and turning etc etc... it got hung up a bunch, but I was patient. At one point it was very stuck then all of a sudden it popped out 4 more inches. I get it all the way out and find that the AC condenser is in the way. So... I easily let the cam hang and get it out of the way, then proceed w/ pulling it out.
Here are the pics... the areas of concern are circeled in red w/ MS Paint and can be hard to see.
Pic 1 the top of the bearing has an odd irregular scratch that can be felt w/ my finger.
Pic 2 the bearing outer edge has two small nicks in it... I'm am unsure if I did these, but they're here now.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/cobra4b/dadsZ06001-1.jpg
[/IMG]
So... can I proceed w/ the cam install? Is this front bearing changeable w/ the motor in the car?
WHAT DO I DO?
Last edited by Cobra4B; 01-10-2007 at 08:14 PM.
#3
The knicks on the outside diamiter wouldn't cause a problem the oils will cause the came to float above them . the one that concerns me is the one in the center of the bearing
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I don't think you need to worry about anything!!! The load on the cam is all directed at the bottom of the engine. At any given time there are several valve springs pushing down on the camshaft. Each one having a minimum of 80lbs of force (seat pressure of the valve spring) and there is almost no load on the top of the bearing. If it were mine I would put it back together and forget it.
You can replace the cam bearing in the car. It is a little tricky to get it lined up straight but it can be done.
You can replace the cam bearing in the car. It is a little tricky to get it lined up straight but it can be done.
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Originally Posted by Bryan Broaddus
I don't think you need to worry about anything!!! The load on the cam is all directed at the bottom of the engine. At any given time there are several valve springs pushing down on the camshaft. Each one having a minimum of 80lbs of force (seat pressure of the valve spring) and there is almost no load on the top of the bearing. If it were mine I would put it back together and forget it.
You can replace the cam bearing in the car. It is a little tricky to get it lined up straight but it can be done.
You can replace the cam bearing in the car. It is a little tricky to get it lined up straight but it can be done.
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Originally Posted by BOWTIE
I agree... In fact it is not uncommon with the older cast iron blocks to have to modify new cam bearings (with a knife, abrasive, or BFH) to get the cam to turn freely due to settling in the casting after it was machined at the factory.
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BFH!!! hahaha... I had my buddy come over and look at it and he advised to take a jewelers file to the nicks and a fine emory to the scratch and keep rolling.
Oh... he's master QA in the Navy for the Norfolk Helicopter fleet... he knows his **** when it comes to engines... and he's got an '04 Z06 he recently put H/C in.
So.. tomorrow we'll get back on it.
Oh... he's master QA in the Navy for the Norfolk Helicopter fleet... he knows his **** when it comes to engines... and he's got an '04 Z06 he recently put H/C in.
So.. tomorrow we'll get back on it.
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Originally Posted by Cobra4B
BFH!!! hahaha... I had my buddy come over and look at it and he advised to take a jewelers file to the nicks and a fine emory to the scratch and keep rolling.
Oh... he's master QA in the Navy for the Norfolk Helicopter fleet... he knows his **** when it comes to engines... and he's got an '04 Z06 he recently put H/C in.
So.. tomorrow we'll get back on it.
Oh... he's master QA in the Navy for the Norfolk Helicopter fleet... he knows his **** when it comes to engines... and he's got an '04 Z06 he recently put H/C in.
So.. tomorrow we'll get back on it.
#14
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Dosnt look too bad to me. Oil loss could result if the scratch were perpendicular to the bearing, since it would be a path for the oil to flow out of rather than create the cushion of oil. In this case the scratch goes parallel with the bearing. If it were me, Id go for it.
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Originally Posted by Cobra4B
BFH!!! hahaha... I had my buddy come over and look at it and he advised to take a jewelers file to the nicks and a fine emory to the scratch and keep rolling.
Oh... he's master QA in the Navy for the Norfolk Helicopter fleet... he knows his **** when it comes to engines... and he's got an '04 Z06 he recently put H/C in.
So.. tomorrow we'll get back on it.
Oh... he's master QA in the Navy for the Norfolk Helicopter fleet... he knows his **** when it comes to engines... and he's got an '04 Z06 he recently put H/C in.
So.. tomorrow we'll get back on it.
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Originally Posted by PREDATOR-Z
I would do anything to it and just proceed.
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Originally Posted by Cobra4B
Does the bearing look normal? C4C5specialist over on corvettemechanic.com expressed concern at the amount of copper showing.