Cam Bearings!?
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From: Little Elm, TX
Cam Bearings!? So i'm talking to my dad tonight (this morning) and he says that if i change my cam, i should DEFINITELY change the cam bearings. Now i've talked to ALOT of people on the board and in person about their cams and NOONE has changed the bearings. Just pop the cam out, put the new cam in. Anyone else have any input? (i know you do)
Car is an LS6 with 56K miles.
Car is an LS6 with 56K miles.
Unless you have SIGNIFICANT wear, why? No visible damage, no need to change the cam bearings. However, a nice Torrington bearing between the cam and the lock plate will do wonders when you get it together.
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From: Little Elm, TX
Originally Posted by Boodyrider
Unless you have SIGNIFICANT wear, why? No visible damage, no need to change the cam bearings. However, a nice Torrington bearing between the cam and the lock plate will do wonders when you get it together.
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You're right, the normal procedure is just swap the cam. I think your dad is coming from more of a historical perspective - that whenver you replace a part that rides on "soft" bearings, you need to change the bearings too. The tolerances and machining on the newer engines and cams though make it possible to only need to change the cam bearings if they are bad.
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From: Little Elm, TX
Originally Posted by DaddySS
You're right, the normal procedure is just swap the cam. I think your dad is coming from more of a historical perspective - that whenver you replace a part that rides on "soft" bearings, you need to change the bearings too. The tolerances and machining on the newer engines and cams though make it possible to only need to change the cam bearings if they are bad.
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I am divided on the issue. You are sliding something more than 2 and a half feet long through a series of holes (still talking about motors here...) that have a clearance in the thousands of inches. Wouldnt it be VERY! likely that a lobe would nick one? That could lead to disaster imho. Or am I just uninformed?
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if you switch your cam bearings you should switch all your bearings because it could potentialy starve your new cam bearings if the other bearings had more wear.
the actual answer is no, dont change them, LS1 bearings if well taken care of can go 130,000 with no signs of wear at all (i know this becuase i took appart a 130,000 mile motor and when i was removing the cam i knicked the bearings in a couple of places, so i just replaced all bearings to be on the safe side)
the actual answer is no, dont change them, LS1 bearings if well taken care of can go 130,000 with no signs of wear at all (i know this becuase i took appart a 130,000 mile motor and when i was removing the cam i knicked the bearings in a couple of places, so i just replaced all bearings to be on the safe side)
Originally Posted by Boodyrider
Unless you have SIGNIFICANT wear, why? No visible damage, no need to change the cam bearings. However, a nice Torrington bearing between the cam and the lock plate will do wonders when you get it together.
Originally Posted by ShevrolayZ28
Paul, where are you getting the torrington bearing from and how is it installed? Please elaborate.
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From: Little Elm, TX
Originally Posted by Ferocity02
A torrington bearing is the bearing that is on the timing sprocket that bolts to the camshaft. Stock timing sets do not have this bearing. Is helps keep the camshaft from sliding back and forth and reduces the friction between the sprocket and the cam retaining plate.
Gotcha!
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From: Little Elm, TX
Originally Posted by Ferocity02
The black ring in the middle of the large sprocket is the torrington bearing that rotates on lots of little needle bearings.
