Question : replacing cam bearings

[1986]

can the average JOE replace his own cam bearings? with the right tool of corse, i just finshed installing the crank, pistons/rods. all new bearings and rings,
i noticed that the first bearing feelings a little rough, so i figure i need to replace em, this is my first engine rebuild by the way, also motor is a 95 3.4L

[3400-95-Modified]

I did it on my 3400... I used a 350 bearing install tool... I had to turn one guide down a little so it fit in one of the bores but other than that, yeah a average Joe can install cam bearings... as you said with the right tool of course.

[geoffinbc]

Agreed you need the tool. If you can rent it it is worth it. Just be sure you put the oil hole in the right spot. And line it up for and aft in the block

On a side note SBC cam bearings are a good upgrade for this motor.

[3400-95-Modified]

On a side note SBC cam bearings are a good upgrade for this motor.

Yeah I figured that out AFTER I had my other bearings in and the motor was together...

[ghrarhg]

As someone about to do this, is there a specific year or style of SBC bearings that should be used? Isn't there something about grinding a slot in the front bearing to lube the timing set?

[/hijack]

[3400-95-Modified]

Yes, you need to put the groove in the front bearing to allow oil to the back of the timing gear.

Year I'm unsure of.

From an e-bay auction...

Brand New Durabond CH-8 cam bearing set fits:
Chevy 262, 265, 283, 302, 305, 307, 327, 350, 400
. 1964-1996 Interchanges with: 1235M, CS507BB, 5C290S, SH290S I will combine shipping when possible to save you money and to save me from extra work! USA BIDDERS ONLY, SHIPPING ONLY TO USA. CHECK OUT MY OTHER AUCTIONS!

So I'm assuming any of those part numbers will work... 1964-1996 all the same.

[1986]

Agreed you need the tool. If you can rent it it is worth it. Just be sure you put the oil hole in the right spot. And line it up for and aft in the block

On a side note SBC cam bearings are a good upgrade for this motor.

how are SBC cam bearings better than just using 3.4 bearings?
btw way what TBI/injector setup are you using on you sonoma?

[CNCguy]

The SBC bearings are wider thereby creating a larger load carrying surface.

[1986]

koo, so they have a the same outter and inner diameter, just wider contact area. what do you guys use to put a grove in the front bearing?

[CNCguy]

The SBC bearing are a little different diameter than the 3400s. After installation, the ID is within specs.

The oil groove is fairly small, roughly .08 wide x .015 deep IIRC. Check the size and groove location on a stock bearing. The groove can be added with a small grinder like a Dremel. Just make sure that you don't leave any burrs or sharp edges that can damage the cam journal.

[60dgrzbelow0]

Agreed you need the tool. If you can rent it it is worth it. Just be sure you put the oil hole in the right spot. And line it up for and aft in the block

On a side note SBC cam bearings are a good upgrade for this motor.

I have an on-going project involving the complete tear down and rebuild of a 1995 Chevrolet Camaro 3.4L L-32 RWD OHV engine. If it will help, please visit here for the list of Albums that cover this and other areas:

http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/ss19/60dgrzbelow0/

There with hundreds of related topical images; some of which show the proper tool being used to remove the old bearings.

I purchased the tool shown there from eBay for around $185.00 after seeing this instructional YouTube video describing its use:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbqN5wxMk0E

[1986]

couldnt find it? got a link

[60dgrzbelow0]

couldnt find it? got a link

Sorry... I made it more complicated than I needed to... Here is the direct link:

http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/ss19/60dgrzbelow0/

[3400-95-Modified]

I bought this one...

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=PRO%2D66794&autoview=sku

and all I had to do was turn down the blue block a little so it fit the engine block since it was supporting the tool in a smaller bore than one in the 350 blocks.

The last front bore of the 350 block is the largest bearing IIRC but with a 60* the two centers are the same size and the front and rear are the same size... on the 350 the fifth front bearing is larger still so you can get two different sized ones through that hole to install them. if you were to number the 350 bore sizes 1-3 (3 being the largest bore) I think it would go, 2-1-1-2-3 where a 60* only uses sizes 1&2 so its 2-1-1-2

[geoffinbc]

Yup in the SBC bearing set one wont fit and it gets tossed.