Cam bearing question Ls1 ?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Portland, TX
Cam bearing question Ls1 ? I sure most of you hate letting someone else work on your stuff, which is why I want to know if it's possible to change out cam bearing yourself in your garage? Is there a puller/installer you can buy for this? Or do they need to be pressed in? I just don't wanna go to the machine shop! Any info is greatly appreciated!
Mike
Mike
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 8
From: Katy, TX
I changed out my cam bearings in my garage with a homemade tool, and others have as well. If you are mechanically inclined, good with tools, and patient, then you can do it.
However you only need to replace the cam bearings if they show damage. Showing copper is normal. Have you measured the clearance with a dial bore gauge? Does the cam spin freely and smoothly?
If you do have to replace the cam bearings, I recommend to buy a tool ($200ish) and get OEM cam bearings, avoid the cheap aftermarket cam bearings.
However you only need to replace the cam bearings if they show damage. Showing copper is normal. Have you measured the clearance with a dial bore gauge? Does the cam spin freely and smoothly?
If you do have to replace the cam bearings, I recommend to buy a tool ($200ish) and get OEM cam bearings, avoid the cheap aftermarket cam bearings.
10 Second Club
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 20
From: Hurley, VA
I bought the tool off eBay and did it ourselves. I used durabond bearings. Just mark the outside of the bearing with a sharpie line it up with the hole and center it up in the block. Use a flashlight mirror and a pick to make sure everything is lined up. I let a machine shop do mine and they screwed it up. Cam wouldn't even go in. I would however have a shop check the main and rod clearances.
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I have this one and it can be used in the garage. Works really well and it wasn't $200.
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc...24334/CSP10900
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc...24334/CSP10900
I always check clearances. Doesn't take long to do and it's good insurance. Looking perfect and being in spec can be two different things. I'd rather check things while it's already apart and know what I'm working with than tear it back apart later because something was overlooked.
Grab a pack of plastigauge and go to town.
I also use the CarShop Inc cam bearing tool. Old bearings out in less than 10 minutes, and installing new ones aren't hard at all as long as you take your time and pay attention. It's a pretty straight forward job.
Grab a pack of plastigauge and go to town.
I also use the CarShop Inc cam bearing tool. Old bearings out in less than 10 minutes, and installing new ones aren't hard at all as long as you take your time and pay attention. It's a pretty straight forward job.