Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

cam bearing help?!?!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 09:33 PM
  #1  
rdd014camaro's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
Default cam bearing help?!?!

Ok so i pulled my cam out because I was planning on putting in a bigger one. When i pulled it out i noticed that the very front of the cam was slightly scared and the very front bearing was slightly scared as well.

The rest of the cam looks perfect and all the other cam bearings are good. I dont know if somehow i messed it up when i installed the cam.

But my question is, is there any way that i can repair the front cam bearing without pulling the engine out of the car. I only need to replace the very front bearing and really dont feel like pulling the engine for that.

Does anyone know of a way this can be done??? Ive never used a cam bearing puller but i know there long so that you can get to all the bearings which would obviously not work in the small front space of the engine compartment. IDEAS????????
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 10:45 PM
  #2  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

Well first, understand the front bearing takes a lot of load bc of the timing chain pulling down on the front of the cam. I dont see why you couldnt knock the front bearing out (think hammer and chisel) and gently tap a new one in. The old one should fall into the oil pan.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 01:41 AM
  #3  
baddbird99's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: des moines, iowa
Default

i currently have the same issue, my cam has no marks on the front journal but my front bearing has a few scuffs, currently 150k mi. and im doin a heads/cam swap. is putting a new bearing in a must or can i get by with the one i have?
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 02:44 AM
  #4  
rdd014camaro's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
Default

yikes, the words "should" and oilpan scare me. id like to get it out without having to knock it into the engine. The thought of the old bearing clunkin around in the oilpan for the rest of its life doesnt sound healthy.....theres no way to pull it out??
I could probably get away with leaving it alone. But it definatly is wearing the front cam journal more than it should be. So therefor I want it out!!!!!

As for baddbird99, if your cam doesnt have any marks on the front journal then your cam bearing is obviosly doing its job of keeping it smooth and lubed. 150k miles is quite a bit of miles and almost any engine is going to start showing wear by then. Thats probably just natural engine wear on the bearing, its just starting to get worn out. But like I said if the cam has no marks then the bearings should be good enough to use.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 11:52 AM
  #5  
rdd014camaro's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
Default

anyone one else have ideas or suggestions? Or is hammer and chisel the verdict.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 11:56 AM
  #6  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

well you wouldnt leave it in the oil pan. You could fish it out from the front with a pen magnet.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 11:59 AM
  #7  
NBM-LS1's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 954
Likes: 0
From: STL, Mo
Default

Maybe try a blind hole puller to pull it out?

Another idea would be to slide a wooden dowl in there as if it were the cam and knock it out and have the dowl catch it. Then you would have to find a way to get it out from there.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 12:04 PM
  #8  
rdd014camaro's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
Default

This is true.... pretty much sounds like anything I try is going to be a major pain though! Im just glad that atleast the ls1's in the camaro have plenty of room in the engine bay to work on them............. ha
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 12:07 PM
  #9  
rdd014camaro's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
Default

A blind hole puller? Dont think I know what that is.... As for the wooden dowl, that might be something to look into. putting something in there that will grab the bearing.... but yes then how to get it out....
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:59 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE