Scratched a cam bearing. Now what?

[harrisonm]

Why would you have the engine down that much and not replace the bearings.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Why would you have the engine down that much and not replace the bearings.

I had cheap & nasty to the bare block and it still has the original cam bearings in it. I'm a glutton for punishment. In somewhat of my defense, it IS a slant 6 and they probably had like 75 pounds on the seat. lol

 

[Newbomb Turk]

I had cheap & nasty to the bare block and it still has the original cam bearings in it. I'm a glutton for punishment. In somewhat of my defense, it IS a slant 6 and they probably had like 75 pounds on the seat. lol

For sure. A /6 could run on cardboard cam bearings and last 200k.

 

[sdavis21918]

If you have the engine out and apart, now is the time to knock a set in, your this far what’s another $25 for cam bearings. If you’re doing an in frame cam swap, let her fly. That lobe scratch won’t hurt nothing.

 

[Patosmith]

You could leave them and then wonder all the time if something bad is going to happen.
Me, I'd replace them for peace of mind.

 

[Ricer]

Hey Ottawa charger, are you the guy I sold 68 charger seats about 18 years ago? I was in Petawawa at the time.

 

[92b]

Honestly, I'm not sure how doing PT or not changes things? I suppose I could have added that my car is a driver? I could also add that my 17 year old son will put more miles on it than I do.

You’d think the guy was building an engine with 300 on the seat and 700 over the nose.

I’ve run way worse many times.

Way too much dick measuring and mental masturbation going on.

Apparently running the power tour makes all the difference. Shame on you for not mentioning it in your first post . You bad, bad boy

 

[OttawaCharger]

Hey Ottawa charger, are you the guy I sold 68 charger seats about 18 years ago? I was in Petawawa at the time.

That's me. Still got them. The Charger progress paused while family happened. The Dart was a quicker father\son\daughter project. Best money I've ever spent as we've had a blast with it.

 

[OttawaCharger]

If you have the engine out and apart, now is the time to knock a set in, your this far what’s another $25 for cam bearings. If you’re doing an in frame cam swap, let her fly. That lobe scratch won’t hurt nothing.

I agree, if the engine was out, I'd replace them. It isn't. Based on the helpful feedback I got here, I learned that there were some options. I know that sometimes a picture doesn't convey everything so I pulled a favour with a mechanic friend of mine. He came over and took a look. We used a fine scotchbright pad to polish that scratch and will run it as is.

 

[furrystump]

So, I would replace them. I have the tool and they are cheap. Having said that, let me tell you a story. Like everyone else I lived in fear scratching a cam bearing!!!!! I bought the tool, created a sterile working environment. Held a project safety meeting prior to any work being started. I CAREFULLY installed each bearing PERFECTLY! Not a mark on the new bearings. I was so proud of myself, I had beers and extra tacos for dinner! The next day I go to slide the cam in and……….NOT happening! When you change cam bearings, they are usually so tight, you can’t get the cam in. Other than having the cam tunnel machined “correctly” you are left with few options. The leading candidate is to groove cut an old cam. Lube the snot out of it and push it in as you turn it. CUTTING YOUR perfectly untouched new bearings! Repeat until the cam turns freely. Yes, it was very hard to see through my tears…..