Cam Bearing Installation

[3400-95-Modified]

I did my own before but I borrowed a tool from a shop that had multiple die sets... now my question is will a standard SBC install tool work? I remember hearing that you can also use SBC wider cam bearings vs the stock ones which are somewhat narrower than desired. I need to know because I was going to buy one of my own.

Thanks

[Superdave]

the SBC tool should work fine.. and yes, you can use SBC bearings.

[3400-95-Modified]

I thought I remember you saying that thats why I decided to ask.

Thanks.

Also this motor wont get SBC bearings, but when I pull Pinky apart over the winter I may do that and a new different type of timing set...

This is a 60k mile Cloyes timing set that came out of this motor...

[ForcedFirebird]

I used the SBC tool in mine.

I think you need to make a slot in the SBC bearings depenting on the year you get. The 660 front bearing has a slot in it to feed the timing set.

Man those gears are rough after 60k miles! I have 60k 3500's that have beautiful gears/chains in them. (stock valvetrain though lol).

[3400-95-Modified]

This was a 100% stock motor... minus the ocasional 100 shot of nitrous, but it was stock valve train.

Edit: The only thing about this motor that COULD have caused this, was it had the FFP UDP on it, after reading Dave's thread I wonder if that's what killed that timing set.

[Superdave]

i'd put it more on the aftermarket timing set... the GM ones are said to hold up better.

i have the pre-99 set on mine and it looks like new after some serious abuse.. not 60K miles but lots of hi-rpm quick shifts and hard launches.

[geldartb]

and thats why mine got all new pre 99 stuff chain and gears. it may have cost me something like 140 shipped from gmpartsdirect but its worth it.

my chain and gears from the 93k 3400 that came out still looked good.

[turboD]

Attached pic of difference in std 2.8/3.1 cam bearing and a set of sbc SH290 bearings. The wider sbc bearing supports the cam better. Oil hole should be at the 4 o'clock position according to GM when assembled. A small groove or reilef can be cut into the front bearing to lube the cam sprocket surface, but take care that not a lot of bearing surface is removed. D

[3400-95-Modified]

Well I'll be remembering this SBC bearing info when I do pinky... for now this motor will get stock bearings, but knowing what tool to use to install them will be great.


Also I need to check and see if the front bearing is even installed/designed right... I think the one in there is wrong, not having that relief to oil the timing set, which could have caused minimal oiling there and caused some of that damage... I wonder.

[1988GTU]

I would have opted for the sbc bearings if I had to buy them over again. Makes no sense to use something else if there's a better idea running around.

Just snatch out the old, position the new accordingly to text, tap them in. Check for clearances, and move on to the next bearing.

[3400-95-Modified]

Well for this one I don't care what bearings are used as long as they fit... I have a SBC tool coming my way from summit... I wont have it for like 3 days but thats fine I'm wicked busy till next week anyways. I also need to pull the vavles out of the heads and bring those to get cleaned and surfaced to be sure they are not warped. Clean up the pistons, reinstall those, with the crank, seal up the oil pan put that back on, and then have at it with the rest of it.

My little mess that I got going on right now...

[loner666]

I may be taking mine apart soon as well. Im waiting on an oil kit to get here so I can send in a sample to figure out whats going on in my engine. I think I have a bearing going somewhere in it from all the shavings Im seeing at oil change and since something went through the center section of my turbo and destroyed that

[3400-95-Modified]

Pinky will probably get torn down this winter, new bearings installed, resurface heads again, re-ring it, possibly hone it, and then just check out everything else. It seems to be running good but you just never know. I don't think my oil had metal in it, and I will also probably replace the timing set in that car since it may be the same quality as what was in this motor and that scares me with the cam I have in pinky.

[3400-95-Modified]

Got my tool last night... its purdy...

Black insert to remove and install bearings, Red insert to support the tool, and a blue one to support the tool when the bearing is removed.

I'll be using this more than once I know that for sure.

Once I get them all out, next week sometime... I'll post pics of their condition.