I needed to change the cam bearings on an engine I am refreshing, having never done it before, I decided to share how I did it.
Normally it is something you have a machine shop do when they have the block, but this block didn't need to go to a machine shop and I saw the bearings were worn so I needed to change them. Having found an installer tool in the shop here I decided to try it myself, and take a bunch of pics.
To start off, here is the tool, it is for SBCs but they have the same size bearings so it worked, (yes I know I could have used SBC bearings but I went with the 2.8 ones)
The tool.
The cone side is to align it so the bearings go in/come out straight.
The bearings
Now the bearings are a bit different, the first one has two holes and the outside two are bigger than the inside two (so they can go through the out side holes for install)
As seen here, the outside ones.
The inside ones.
Now the first one make note(take a pic) of the holes so it can be installed in the same position.
Here is a pic of the old bearings.
Here is the first one knocked into the block, I only have a pusher tool.
Now nowhere anywhere could I find instructions on how to get them out, most engines are open they they just fall out the bottom, not so much luck on a 60deg block.
So here is what I came up with, smashing them so the fit through the hole, with a screwdriver and hammer. BTW I used a deadblow hammer for all of this.
And got this, came right out of the hole.
Here you can see how the cone part sits to align the tool.
And the next bearing, you can see the gold on it thus needed to be changed out.
On the back one I marked where the hole is, (the light blue mark) it is about 4:30 looking from the front
All the bearings out.
Now to put the new ones in. I used that mark I made, lined it up with the hole and made a line on the top, much easier to see inside the block.
The inner two go in first as they are smaller and slip through the out side holes. Oil up the bearing, it helps it slid in and helps protect it.
Here is the cone in place and the bearing ready to go in.
Now go REAL SLOW, check often to see when you have the hole lined up with the grove, you do not want to go past, only the first one can you go in from the other side if you go too far.
Nice shiny new bearing installed.
Bearing on the installer.
Now on the outside ones I put the installer on backwards so I could use the cone on the other side for alignment.
All the bearings in, on the front one, if it has a slot make sure it faces out as to help oil the timing chain.
I hope this helps to show what is involved when replacing cam bearings.
<---Don't forget to rate, thanks.
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