Serious damage during cam removal?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: long island, new york
Serious damage during cam removal? Hey guys, I'm in the middle of my heads and cam swap and I'm a little worried. I thought I removed the cam nice and smoothly however the front cam bearing/surrounding area look pretty gnarly. As you can see in the picture there is a sizable gouge in front of the bearing. INPUT please! Car is super low mileage would hate to have been the cause of some serious damage...
*UPDATE*
Completed the install and everything seems to be fine. Started up perfectly, runs, and drives with no oil pressure issues. For a dyno/idle clip check out https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...l#post18325468
*UPDATE*
Completed the install and everything seems to be fine. Started up perfectly, runs, and drives with no oil pressure issues. For a dyno/idle clip check out https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...l#post18325468
Last edited by blt91RS; Jul 17, 2014 at 12:07 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: long island, new york
TECH Addict
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Yes it is from removing the cam......next time don't turn the cam so much. Looks like a small sliver of the bearing in the oil hole too. It will be fine, just be more carefully inserting the cam. You raked the lobe edges across the bearings as you turned it. Look inside and see how the other look.
Last edited by RockinWs6; Jun 7, 2014 at 09:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 115
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From: long island, new york
Yes it is from removing the cam......next time don't turn the cam so much. Looks like a small sliver of the bearing in the oil hole too. It will be fine, just be more carefully inserting the cam. You raked the lobe edges across the bearings as you turned it. Look inside and see how the other look.
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Joined: Jun 2014
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If it were my motor, id buy a new cam bearing. Rent a cam bearing install tool and slip a new bearing in there. You’ll be into it for fewer than 100 bucks, and not have to worry about it in the long run. But I would not run that bearing in my engine.
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Since photos tend to make things look worse than they really are, can you feel it with your fingers? If it is very minor, I might try some 2000 grit with oil to see if you can smooth. If still bad then replace.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: long island, new york
I'm more so concerned with the nicked area just beyond the bearing itself. The bearing is smooth to the touch while the nick is rough/sharp. Does that area come into contact with the cam or just the bearing?
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Well honestly if it were mine I would 1st take a vacuum and suck out the oil hole to be sure its clear. Then I would simply try the new cam in the bearing with oil on it and see how it turns The bearing is very soft and will conform to the cam journal. I don't think it will be a problem.
You trying to remove the bearing and installing a new one along with honing it to proper size is just a basket of POO. I'd avoid it.
Please don't go sanding that bearing unless you want main bearing and rod bearing troubles. Those oiling holes lead right to the crank.
You trying to remove the bearing and installing a new one along with honing it to proper size is just a basket of POO. I'd avoid it.
Please don't go sanding that bearing unless you want main bearing and rod bearing troubles. Those oiling holes lead right to the crank.
No, that shouldn't contact the cam. Unfortunately, it is part of the block. It is your motor and you should decide the best course of action. Some have replaced bearings and then spun them so there is risk there as well.
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Wisconsin