The Ford Barn

Fatheads4ever · 10-25-2021, 12:06 AM

Hi gang.. I've decided replace the cam bearings since the engine is apart. I noticed that the old front bearing closest to the timing cover has two semi circular notches 180° apart cut into the fwd edge.

Any ideas why?
Should I do the same to my new bearing?
Regards Kevin

ponymare · 10-25-2021, 05:52 AM

Mabey to let more oil get to the cam flange?

big job · 10-25-2021, 07:49 AM

maybe another who knows what was done. the only two hole bearing I can think of is the rear, the extra hole is for the fuel pump push rod. Whether the front and rear measurements are the same I don't know been couple yrs since I did one. Question you popped out all cam bearings so you should have two now with these holes front and rear?
possible a rear was used in the front weird .....sam

34PKUP · 10-25-2021, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big job

maybe another who knows what was done. the only two hole bearing I can think of is the rear, the extra hole is for the fuel pump push rod. Whether the front and rear measurements are the same I don't know been couple yrs since I did one. Question you popped out all cam bearings so you should have two now with these holes front and rear?
possible a rear was used in the front weird .....sam

Suggest you read post #1 again, it's not holes that are in question but "notches"

flatjack9 · 10-25-2021, 09:10 AM

Notches are not normal.

51 MERC-CT · 10-25-2021, 09:17 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatheads4ever

Hi gang.. I've decided replace the cam bearings since the engine is apart. I noticed that the old front bearing closest to the timing cover has two semi circular notches 180° apart cut into the fwd edge.

Any ideas why?
Should I do the same to my new bearing?
Regards Kevin

If your new bearings have the notches, install the same as the ones removed (I would not install notches in the bearing)
As previously stated the notches were probably to provide oil to any thrust faces.
Have not seen any new bearings with the notches.

Bored&Stroked · 10-25-2021, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big job

maybe another who knows what was done. the only two hole bearing I can think of is the rear, the extra hole is for the fuel pump push rod. Whether the front and rear measurements are the same I don't know been couple yrs since I did one. Question you popped out all cam bearings so you should have two now with these holes front and rear?
possible a rear was used in the front weird .....sam

All three bearings have TWO holes, but the rear one must have one with the BIGGER hole up top - for the fuel pump pushrod.

If you didn't have two holes, you'd not have oil going to the main bearings.

Ronnieroadster · 10-25-2021, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatheads4ever

Hi gang.. I've decided replace the cam bearings since the engine is apart. I noticed that the old front bearing closest to the timing cover has two semi circular notches 180° apart cut into the fwd edge.

Any ideas why?
Should I do the same to my new bearing?
Regards Kevin

Kevin the two notch's were no doubt added to the front edge of the cam bearing by someone so additional oil would eventually get onto the cam thrust face of the block. There's no need to add them to the front bearing your using as a replacement. The new cam bearing has a certain amount of clearance so that oil coming out of the end will lubricate the block-cam thrust surface perfectly.
Ronnieroadster

Bored&Stroked · 10-25-2021, 07:45 PM

I can see no reason that notches would have any value in the least. The cam bearing has about .002 clearance to the cam journal, do there is plenty of lubrication getting to the front thrust surface. Also, if it is earlier than 1949, then the front pressure relief system also throws oil onto the back of the timing gear. Plenty of oil in this area. I've never seen a cam that "burnt" on the thrust surface.

Fatheads4ever · 10-26-2021, 12:26 AM

Thanks guys.. I've decided to not file the notches.. I'm sure the thrust face will get oil as suggested. Now to continue with the assembly.
I may be slow but boy am I rough.

big job · 10-26-2021, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

All three bearings have TWO holes, but the rear one must have one with the BIGGER hole up top - for the fuel pump pushrod.

If you didn't have two holes, you'd not have oil going to the main bearings.

True My brain wakes up around noontime hate gettin old.....

Bored&Stroked · 10-26-2021, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big job

True My brain wakes up around noontime hate gettin old.....

You're doing just fine my friend! We all have our good days and then the ones that we're not happy with.

10-25-2021, 05:52 AM	#2
ponymare Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 160	Re: Cam bearing Mabey to let more oil get to the cam flange?

10-25-2021, 07:49 AM	#3
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Cam bearing maybe another who knows what was done. the only two hole bearing I can think of is the rear, the extra hole is for the fuel pump push rod. Whether the front and rear measurements are the same I don't know been couple yrs since I did one. Question you popped out all cam bearings so you should have two now with these holes front and rear? possible a rear was used in the front weird .....sam Last edited by big job; 10-25-2021 at 07:58 AM.

10-25-2021, 09:10 AM	#5
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: Cam bearing Notches are not normal.

10-25-2021, 07:45 PM	#9
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,062	Re: Cam bearing I can see no reason that notches would have any value in the least. The cam bearing has about .002 clearance to the cam journal, do there is plenty of lubrication getting to the front thrust surface. Also, if it is earlier than 1949, then the front pressure relief system also throws oil onto the back of the timing gear. Plenty of oil in this area. I've never seen a cam that "burnt" on the thrust surface.

10-26-2021, 12:26 AM	#10
Fatheads4ever Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Auckland New Zealand Posts: 48	Re: Cam bearing Thanks guys.. I've decided to not file the notches.. I'm sure the thrust face will get oil as suggested. Now to continue with the assembly. I may be slow but boy am I rough.

10-25-2021, 12:06 AM	#1
Fatheads4ever Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Auckland New Zealand Posts: 48	Cam bearing Hi gang.. I've decided replace the cam bearings since the engine is apart. I noticed that the old front bearing closest to the timing cover has two semi circular notches 180° apart cut into the fwd edge. Any ideas why? Should I do the same to my new bearing? Regards Kevin