6.0 Cam bearing failures
6.0 Cam bearing failures I've read where the 6.0 blocks have spun the cam bearings in the cam bores. Does this seem to be an issue only with the iron blocks? Gen III or gen IV related? Issues with the alum LS2 block?
I'm looking to purchase a new block for my build, was wondering between iron or alum. I could care less about the weight difference, more towards the cam bearing issues. Feedback?
I'm looking to purchase a new block for my build, was wondering between iron or alum. I could care less about the weight difference, more towards the cam bearing issues. Feedback?
I was just wondering, I've known two guys personally who have had the same failures on work vans. Well maintained trucks. I just wondered if it was a iron block only issue or not.
I think its a valid question. I have heard of a few issues but I don't recall if they are linked to the iron block. I think they were related to aftermarket cam installs. It really is not a concern if the shop building it knows what they're doing.
On my LT1 I gouged a cam bearing removing the cam on the engine stand. I think it reasonable to say cam bearings are easily damaged during cam install and not always identified. Combine that with the relative ease with which LS cams are changed and I think you have a lot of shadetrees that maybe aren't up for the task.
Far as work vans, it is a different use and vans tend to have bad airflow, might be a fluke or might be something like work vans spend a lot of time stopped or at low speeds depending on the fans for cooling and therefore running hotter than most other applications.
Far as work vans, it is a different use and vans tend to have bad airflow, might be a fluke or might be something like work vans spend a lot of time stopped or at low speeds depending on the fans for cooling and therefore running hotter than most other applications.
The 6.0 iron block in my build had some cam journal issues ,luckily my builder knew what he was doing and we had it fixed. So I would say some 6.0 irons have some cam bearing issues.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: NYC
Factory GM cam bearings are not too good and if you run race valve springs it's really bad. This is what you need: http://www.briantooleyracing.com/dur...er-chp10t.html
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Teching In
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Just had this happen to me. Second last bearing came out with the cam.
Went as slow and gentle as possible and cam was coming out easily and then got stuck. I stopped, pulled the lifters and I could see the bearing was still on the journal. It got stuck on the next journal when the bearing wouldn't fit through.
I've had one engine builder tells me the block is useless now and 1 said it could be line honed and oversized bearings could be installed. Not sure what to do next.....
Went as slow and gentle as possible and cam was coming out easily and then got stuck. I stopped, pulled the lifters and I could see the bearing was still on the journal. It got stuck on the next journal when the bearing wouldn't fit through.
I've had one engine builder tells me the block is useless now and 1 said it could be line honed and oversized bearings could be installed. Not sure what to do next.....
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
How I done it, how others might do it is up to them. Centre 3 are easy, it's only the outer two that are a little awkward
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...earings-3.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...earings-3.html
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: North Bay, CA
I build a lot of these engines and never have had a cam bearing failure - first issue is that the bearing is too thin for the loads it receives with bigger springs. There's even a TSB from GM specifying the Durabond hard and coated bearings posted earlier in this thread for OE applications at the dealership.
Unless you lose oil pressure or damaged the bearings on installation, didn't have enough press...you should not be spinning these bearings even on an aluminum block motor.
The bores are rough from the factory, and many people expand the bearing removal tool too much damaging the bore as they remove the old ones. Measure for proper press, use green sleeve retainer with the aluminum blocks, use the right bearings, and in extreme solid roller applications with aluminum blocks you can pin the bearings as well.
Unless you lose oil pressure or damaged the bearings on installation, didn't have enough press...you should not be spinning these bearings even on an aluminum block motor.
The bores are rough from the factory, and many people expand the bearing removal tool too much damaging the bore as they remove the old ones. Measure for proper press, use green sleeve retainer with the aluminum blocks, use the right bearings, and in extreme solid roller applications with aluminum blocks you can pin the bearings as well.
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Norn Iron
Whether or not you've seen it, whether or not it should not happen...and of course it should not happen.
The fact is it does happen and there seems to be no real pattern as to why it happens.
But absolutely it is a potential problem and doesnt seem limited to one particular block.
It may not happen to many, but when it does happen to you it's a ballix.
The fact is it does happen and there seems to be no real pattern as to why it happens.
But absolutely it is a potential problem and doesnt seem limited to one particular block.
It may not happen to many, but when it does happen to you it's a ballix.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 326
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From: North Bay, CA
Whether or not you've seen it, whether or not it should not happen...and of course it should not happen.
The fact is it does happen and there seems to be no real pattern as to why it happens.
But absolutely it is a potential problem and doesnt seem limited to one particular block.
It may not happen to many, but when it does happen to you it's a ballix.
The fact is it does happen and there seems to be no real pattern as to why it happens.
But absolutely it is a potential problem and doesnt seem limited to one particular block.
It may not happen to many, but when it does happen to you it's a ballix.
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
The reason is due to parts selection and the installer not paying enough attention to detail. I run smaller bearings with less press and much higher spring loads in other aluminum blocks in our different endurance motor programs which are at peak RPM for dozens of hours and they don't lose cam bearings. Installer error.
No doubt installer error can cause it too.