Rock Auto cam bearings a little tight

[Eric T]

With the weather finally starting to warm up a little, I decided to start re-assembling the 8BA for my 1950 Ford. I had bought the cam bearings from Rock Auto and installed them months ago, but waited to attempt installing the camshaft until today. It did not go well. as I fed the first cam journal (lubricated, of course) into the front bearing, it stopped about halfway in and would go no further without an unreasonable amount of force.

I know I didn't order undersized bearings, but there were no specs on the Rock Auto page for them.

Oh well, I ordered another set from somewhere else. Guess I'll just have to put off this build a little longer.

[KiWinUS]

What brand does Rock auto sell.

[Eric T]

The order said "Enginetech model CC507"

[Bored&Stroked]

How did you install them? Did you have a cam bearing installation tool with the correctly sized mandrel for STD flathead CAM bearings?

Also, I usually polish my bearings with fine Scotchbrite and acetone or lacquer thinner.

[Brian]

I have found a bit of variation in sizes of cam bearings from different manufacturers. I normally install undersized cam bearings, measure the installed size, then grind the journals to suit. Particularly if the camlobes have been ground; the camgrinder drills a centre in the nose of the camshaft, and grinds the lobes between centres. If I use the same centres and grind the journals, I can be assured the entire shaft is concentric. just my anal way of doing things....

[19Fordy]

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I know this sounds odd but:
Is it possible that your cam is not running "true"?
Can you place it between centers and check it with a dial indicator.

On a rebuild, a very long time ago, I had to have my cam straightened by CRANE CAM CO. when they were in Hallandale, FL to make it fit.
It's still running well in my 8BA.

[36coupe]

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

What brand does Rock auto sell.

I bought a set and they where Sealed Power.

[Eric T]

I'm not concerned so much that the cam may not be running true. That might be the case if the cam had gone farther than 3/4 inch into the first bearing.

[flatjack9]

Again, what did you use to install them?

[19Fordy]

Eric: Flatjack's question is very impotant.
Did you use a cam bearing installation tool?

[Eric T]

Yes, I used a cam bearing installation tool.

[Bored&Stroked]

Did you have a correctly sized mandrel for a STD Flathead bearing . . . or just use something else to get by?

[Pete]

In any case you are going to have to start over.
Get a set of Durabond bearings.
Use a solid steel driving slug, NOT the type with rubber O-rings.
The critical dimensions of the driving slug are, 1.795 for the area that sits inside the bearing shell. The slug absolutely must be long enough the go all the way through the shell.
COAT THE SLUG WITH HEAVY GREASE BEFORE DRIVING.
Be sure the large oil hole is up on all bearings.
When done check to make sure the bearing shell does NOT hang over the edge of the oil hole.

When using Durabond bearings, I have NEVER had a block that if the cam was straight it wouldn't turn freely after driving the bearings in. The cam should actually SPIN freely for a turn or two with a light coat of oil on the journals and a vigorous spin.

[flatjack9]

Also be sure you have the tapered end enter first.

[Eric T]

Thanks for all the advice, gentlemen. Looks like I will have to get a better tool to install the next set.

[Desoto291Hemi]

Pete ,
This is good info to know,,,,,,,I haven’t put mine in yet,,,,,but,, I am getting closer to it .
I have Durabond bearings,,,,,which look like excellent bearings .
I was gonna just use a regular driver,,,,,but I guess I had better rethink this .
I will just make me a driver out Of cold rolled,,,,,,should be easy enough.
Thanks .

Tommy

[J Franklin]

Not that I will ever do this job, but I'm curious as to why these bearings cannot be honed.

[Mart]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

Not that I will ever do this job, but I'm curious as to why these bearings cannot be honed.

Because the stone material would embed in the soft cam bearing material. Old fashioned scraping might be an option.
FWIW I fitted the cam bearings supplied by Rockauto and the cam went in no problem. I used a home made tool and showed it in one of my videos.

I just looked and the brand was Mahle Clevite. I believe that is a quality brand.

Mart.

[Mac VP]

We’ve been selling our own cam bearing installation tool for nearly ten years. It’s specifically designed for the Ford flathead V8 cam bearings so it wouldn’t be of any use for other types of bearings. However, it works great for Henry’s flathead engine (221, 239, and 255 varieties).

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by Mac VP

We’ve been selling our own cam bearing installation tool for nearly ten years. It’s specifically designed for the Ford flathead V8 cam bearings so it wouldn’t be of any use for other types of bearings. However, it works great for Henry’s flathead engine (221, 239, and 255 varieties).

And Mac's tool is a quality piece . . . bought one from him years ago and use it on every engine. When you use the right equipment, CAM bearing installation is a 5-minute job at most . . .