Cam Bearing question

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mattsinger

mattsinger

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Just looking to understand a little more related to cam bearings in a 383. I am currently getting some machine work done on a 383 for my son. The machine shop stated that they need the camshaft to fit the cam bearings since BB Mopars often times have undersized cam bearing bores. I have read this in a few different spots on the web as well....but my question is this.... Was it an issue with the machining of the blocks that were undersized?? or were the factory cams all over the spec on bearing journals??. Since my grandfather retired from Chrysler at the Trenton engine plant as a foreman for camshafts.....I wonder if he was slacking..lol
Matt
 
It's not the cam bearing bores. It's the bearings them selves. When we did cam bearings, we always had an old camshaft layin around with a groove cut the cam bearing journals to act like a hone for the new bearings if they were a little tight. It's common parctice. They want the cam just to assure the bearings are not too tight.
 
so you are saying more of a variance in bearings...than an issue with the cam or block... Ok.....so since I don't have the specific cam we will be using yet....do you think I would be safe jsut taking in the stock cam for the purpose of fitting?
 
...........That usually works fine, but not always as my buddy just found out.....he didnt have the new 1 so he used the old 1.......while waiting for the new cam, he decides to assamble the short block........guess what, its a no go with the new Lunati voodoo......so now he's taking the short block apart.......he says this is a lesson he didnt need or want........kim.......
 

oldkimmer said:
...........That usually works fine, but not always as my buddy just found out.....he didnt have the new 1 so he used the old 1.......while waiting for the new cam, he decides to assamble the short block........guess what, its a no go with the new Lunati voodoo......so now he's taking the short block apart.......he says this is a lesson he didnt need or want........kim.......
Click to expand...


That was his mistake. The camshaft should be the first thing installed to assure proper fit.
 
Best to measure the cam bore i.d.'s

If they are small, hone them for proper sizing. Cam bearing will crinkle (crush + wrinkle), like when you lightly distort an aluminum can, if stuffed in too small of a bore.
 
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