Cobra4B

iTrader: (9)

Ok... right now I'm pretty much sick to my stomach... this is my frist cam install and I'm scared that I f'ed up bad.

The cam was tought to get out but I went slow pulling and turning etc etc... it got hung up a bunch, but I was patient. At one point it was very stuck then all of a sudden it popped out 4 more inches. I get it all the way out and find that the AC condenser is in the way. So... I easily let the cam hang and get it out of the way, then proceed w/ pulling it out.

Here are the pics... the areas of concern are circeled in red w/ MS Paint and can be hard to see.

Pic 1 the top of the bearing has an odd irregular scratch that can be felt w/ my finger.


Pic 2 the bearing outer edge has two small nicks in it... I'm am unsure if I did these, but they're here now.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/cobra4b/dadsZ06001-1.jpg
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So... can I proceed w/ the cam install? Is this front bearing changeable w/ the motor in the car?

WHAT DO I DO?

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

i would get it changed, not sure if it can be done while in the car.

CamaroSS19

iTrader: (24)

The knicks on the outside diamiter wouldn't cause a problem the oils will cause the came to float above them . the one that concerns me is the one in the center of the bearing

Cobra4B

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for the input guys... anymore?

JPH

iTrader: (2)

is that a '98 block?

Bink

Update on this? Replace?

Bryan Broaddus

I don't think you need to worry about anything!!! The load on the cam is all directed at the bottom of the engine. At any given time there are several valve springs pushing down on the camshaft. Each one having a minimum of 80lbs of force (seat pressure of the valve spring) and there is almost no load on the top of the bearing. If it were mine I would put it back together and forget it.


You can replace the cam bearing in the car. It is a little tricky to get it lined up straight but it can be done.

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

I still would not risk the potenial loss of oil PSI, especially if it can be replaced with the engine in the car.

BOWTIE

I agree... In fact it is not uncommon with the older cast iron blocks to have to modify new cam bearings (with a knife, abrasive, or BFH) to get the cam to turn freely due to settling in the casting after it was machined at the factory.

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

LOL @ BFH to fix a cam bearing. Git er dun!!!

Cobra4B

iTrader: (9)

BFH!!! hahaha... I had my buddy come over and look at it and he advised to take a jewelers file to the nicks and a fine emory to the scratch and keep rolling.

Oh... he's master QA in the Navy for the Norfolk Helicopter fleet... he knows his **** when it comes to engines... and he's got an '04 Z06 he recently put H/C in.

So.. tomorrow we'll get back on it.

PREDATOR-Z

I would do anything to it and just proceed.

Bink

on the bearing surface - was it a scratch or a prod defect?

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

Dosnt look too bad to me. Oil loss could result if the scratch were perpendicular to the bearing, since it would be a path for the oil to flow out of rather than create the cushion of oil. In this case the scratch goes parallel with the bearing. If it were me, Id go for it.

Cobra4B

iTrader: (9)

Scratch I believe.

oange ss

iTrader: (50)

i agree, ive seen worse

Cobra4B

iTrader: (9)

Does the bearing look normal? C4C5specialist over on corvettemechanic.com expressed concern at the amount of copper showing.

Cobra4B

iTrader: (9)

Worse how so? More scorching or worse nicks etc.

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

Anyone who's familiar with the LS1 should be used to seeing a lot of copper color on our cam bearings. The bulk o fthe bearing seems to be copper and even low milage motors seem to wear through the thin grey coating. Nothing to worry about.

Cobra4B

iTrader: (9)

^ See that's what I thought... I'd heard that the copper counts from oil analysis are high in all these motors.