The Ford Barn

Bob Bidonde · 05-11-2022, 10:06 AM

I have 3 Model "B" camshafts. What is the bearing journal diameter new, and with usable wear?

rotorwrench · 05-11-2022, 10:27 AM

Check in further considerations of this link for diameters. 1.559 to 1.560 for the cam.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/cam...1.560%20inches.

A person may start to notice noise if the clearance gets greater than .003".

Bob Bidonde · 05-12-2022, 09:01 AM

Thanks to the Ford Garage and the tip from rotorwrench, the camshaft journals are 1.559" / 1.560", and the journals in the block are 1.5615" / 1.5625". So the clearance of the cam to the block is 0.0025" / 0.0035".

I would expect that the relatively soft grey iron block journals wear more so than the hardened steel camshaft, and that the preponderance of the wear in the block is in the bottom half of the journal due to the valve loading. So it is likely that the block will need to be line bored to accept camshaft bushings press fit and the bushings line bored for a clearance of 0.0025 / 0.0035 to the actual camshaft being used.

katy · 05-12-2022, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Thanks to the Ford Garage and the tip from rotorwrench, the camshaft journals are 1.559" / 1.560", and the journals in the block are 1.5615" / 1.5625". So the clearance of the cam to the block is 0.0025" / 0.0035".

I would expect that the relatively soft grey iron block journals wear more so than the hardened steel camshaft, and that the preponderance of the wear in the block is in the bottom half of the journal due to the valve loading. So it is likely that the block will need to be line bored to accept camshaft bushings press fit and the bushings line bored for a clearance of 0.0025 / 0.0035 to the actual camshaft being used.

Sounds reasonable to me.

nkaminar · 05-12-2022, 09:44 AM

On the Burtz engine the cam shaft bushings are replaceable. The instructions say:

"Replacement camshaft bushings can be made from McMaster Carr
sleeve bearing 7460N22395008."

I searched for that part number on the McMaster Carr web site but couldn't find it. I suggest you contact Terry for clarification if interested.

By the way, I bought Terry's cam shaft and have been impressed by the quality and the performance in my engine.

PC/SR · 05-12-2022, 10:07 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Dan Pirrano in TX has cam bearing inserts. Block needs to be line bored to size. Having that done to one of my blocks now. http://www.modelaparts.net/index.html

Terry Burtz, Calif · 05-12-2022, 02:04 PM

nkaminar,

The McMaster part number is wrong and will be corrected in the next revision of the "Builders Guide". Thanks for finding the error.

A set of 5 cam bushings can be purchased from us for $75 or they can be made from McMaster Carr sleeve bearings that have an outside diameter of 45 mm and an inside diameter of 35 mm. The machined OD needs to be 44.570/44.586 mm and the ID needs to be 39.662/39.687 mm. The length needs to be close to the bushing that is being replaced.

05-11-2022, 10:06 AM	#1
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Camshaft Bearing Journals I have 3 Model "B" camshafts. What is the bearing journal diameter new, and with usable wear? __________________ Bob Bidonde

05-11-2022, 10:27 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Camshaft Bearing Journals Check in further considerations of this link for diameters. 1.559 to 1.560 for the cam. https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/cam...1.560%20inches. A person may start to notice noise if the clearance gets greater than .003".

05-12-2022, 09:01 AM	#3
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Re: Camshaft Bearing Journals Thanks to the Ford Garage and the tip from rotorwrench, the camshaft journals are 1.559" / 1.560", and the journals in the block are 1.5615" / 1.5625". So the clearance of the cam to the block is 0.0025" / 0.0035". I would expect that the relatively soft grey iron block journals wear more so than the hardened steel camshaft, and that the preponderance of the wear in the block is in the bottom half of the journal due to the valve loading. So it is likely that the block will need to be line bored to accept camshaft bushings press fit and the bushings line bored for a clearance of 0.0025 / 0.0035 to the actual camshaft being used. __________________ Bob Bidonde

05-12-2022, 09:44 AM	#5
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Camshaft Bearing Journals On the Burtz engine the cam shaft bushings are replaceable. The instructions say: "Replacement camshaft bushings can be made from McMaster Carr sleeve bearing 7460N22395008." I searched for that part number on the McMaster Carr web site but couldn't find it. I suggest you contact Terry for clarification if interested. By the way, I bought Terry's cam shaft and have been impressed by the quality and the performance in my engine. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 05-12-2022 at 09:54 AM.

05-12-2022, 10:07 AM	#6
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,279	Re: Camshaft Bearing Journals Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Dan Pirrano in TX has cam bearing inserts. Block needs to be line bored to size. Having that done to one of my blocks now. http://www.modelaparts.net/index.html

05-12-2022, 02:04 PM	#7
Terry Burtz, Calif Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Campbell,CA, USA Posts: 319	Re: Camshaft Bearing Journals nkaminar, The McMaster part number is wrong and will be corrected in the next revision of the "Builders Guide". Thanks for finding the error. A set of 5 cam bushings can be purchased from us for $75 or they can be made from McMaster Carr sleeve bearings that have an outside diameter of 45 mm and an inside diameter of 35 mm. The machined OD needs to be 44.570/44.586 mm and the ID needs to be 39.662/39.687 mm. The length needs to be close to the bushing that is being replaced.