The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop CAM AGAIN???????????

Here what I did, bought a dial indicator, set of inside mics, set of out side mics. Checked for straight 2 inside journals within .001, miced the inside of cam bearings and outside. Everything looks good the 2nd journal is tight with only a clearance of .0005 so it should go in but it doesn't. Seems as though the cam should be pulled up just as it is about to enter the bearings but the timing gear hits the crank gear. Should I 1. pull the crankshaft out and try to install the cam then the crank? 2. Or should I pull the 2nd cam bearing and hone it so I have a little more clearance according to the manual it should have over .001? Definetly getting closer I hope.

Just line up the timing marks on the two gears, I can't see how that would hold you up. rotate the cam and/or the crank to get the marks to line up. Do you have the crankshaft in the right spot? I.E. the cam is clearing the counterweights?

The crank is right put it together with plastic gauge. Have timing marks lined up the back of the cam when in is probably .01 to high I can see light between the cam and the bottom of the cam bearing. The front of the cam has to go up before it can go any further for it is tight to the bearings the only other thing I can think of doing is backing up the cam gear but then the thrust plate would be to loose.

is the crank snout bent, causing the crank gear to be off? Like I said I can't see that being a problem, unless the cam is hanging up in the tight bearing. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to be off .0005" using two different micrometers, meaning your measurements might not be completely accurate.

I may be missing up whole point, but it sounds like 2nd no. 2 bushing is too tight. We used to hone them to size once they were in the block. If he does manage to get the cam forced in, the clearance will get even closer and the bushing could spin with the cam. Cam bushings being too loose can mean lower oil pressure, but having them too tight can be a disaster.

I think what I'll try to do is remove the crank ad see if the cam will go in if not I'll hone the cam bearing . It should be easier dropping the crank into the cam gear.