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Cam bearing replacement with engine in car ?

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Old May 8, 2015 | 06:50 AM
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Default Cam bearing replacement with engine in car ?

While swapping cams in my 5.3 Silverado the #2 cam bearing cam out and is sitting in the engine. The attached photos show what looks like a crack in the bearing and some wear on the cam bearing journal.

I was looking at this tool,
Amazon.com: Lisle 18000 Universal Camshaft Bearing Tool: Automotive Amazon.com: Lisle 18000 Universal Camshaft Bearing Tool: Automotive

hoping that I can replace all the bearings without having to remove the engine, which is something I have never done and don't have the tools for.

This started as a heads/cam swap and is turning into a Can-O-worms.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Attached Thumbnails Cam bearing replacement with engine in car ?-img_2176-noted.jpg   Cam bearing replacement with engine in car ?-cam-resized2.jpg  
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Old May 8, 2015 | 06:59 AM
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Had the same thing happen to a 5.3 I bought a while ago. I would first try to get the old bearing out and see if it spun in the block... If it did spin, I would start looking for a new block to put in.
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Old Jun 20, 2015 | 08:33 AM
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As it turns out, two of the cam bearings turned and ruined the block.

I bought a 5.3 "327" Chevy Performance crate motor instead of a GM reman. I should have the engine next week. Dan at LaFontaine Performance was very helpful.

http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...nes/ls327.html
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 05:12 PM
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Say that the block wasn't ruined.... just FYI. You can only pull out 3 of the 5 bearings from the front. For the other two you would have to remove the transmission and rear cover. Might be possible in a truck but I am not sure you would of had the room in a car's tunnel.
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 05:43 PM
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A spun bearing does not make a destroyed block, most of the time. Over sized bearings are available. Just have to get the bores honed. Motor needs to come out of course.

Last edited by Exidous; Jun 23, 2015 at 01:37 PM.
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 06:06 PM
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Never heard of a oversized OD cam bearing. Got a link to one of those?
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 01:28 PM
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Durabond
Standard Bearings
CH-4A (.01" over)
High Performance Bearings
CHP-8R1 (.01" over)
CHP-8R1T (.01" over)coated
CHP-8R2 (.02" over)
CHP-8R2T (.02" over)coated
CHP-8R3 (.03" over)
CHP-8R3T (.03" over)coated
CHP-8R4 (.04" over)
CHP-8R4T (.04" over)coated

Lot of options for a jacked up bore once fixed.

Summit racing says they are for SBC's but durabond says they are for first style LS motors. Summit also says 2002 chevy v8 but only lists gen I and II motors....not III. I think I'll trust durabonds site. :-)

http://www.dura-bondbearing.com/Parts-Look-Up search 2002 camaro v8
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