The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Cam Bearing Dilemma

Hey Guru's,
Need some opinions for this, please.
Just as I'm about to start installing crank and cam, do I find what I think is an error with my cam bearing installation on one of the bearings. (I had them installed at the machine shop that bored the block).
The bearing pictured has (I think) the true oil hole and feeder groove installed backwards.

Picture 1

Picture 2

I don't claim to be an expert, but shouldn't the oil trough be located at the oil feed hole?
The oil hole has no means to disperse oil very well.
The question is, should I take the block back to the machine shop to correct the problem or should I maybe get a yo-yo and grind a trough from the oil hole to the existing trough?
My day of progress is shot.
Jerry

Take it back to the machine shop. They should be able to remove and reinsert in 10 minutes with their bearing remove/install tool. You don't want to grind anything. You'll never get all the metal filings removed and they will destroy bearings quickly.

Agree, take it back. Make them fix it right.

As I still cringe at the thought of loading the block back into my car (A Prius) to take it back and make them do it right, I must agree that after thinking on it some more, that's what needs to be done.
Drew, I agree about the grinding idea... bad. Besides, the direction of the ramped trough is still wrong in doing that.
I've printed enlarged pictures and plan on stopping by the shop when I get off work.
I've got another bone to pick with them about not installing the end plug for the cam when they installed all the freeze plugs. Though it wasn't expensive, I had to install one before I could bolt-up the bell housing.
I'm obliged of your input guys. It's good to have someone to bump things past when a problem arises!

Jerry

Glad to help, but, sorry, I had to chuckle when you said you load the engine in a Prius. I can't imagine how hard and inconvenient that is. Must be somebody you know with a pickup, especially in Texas. Does the machine shop have a shop truck?

Ahh... I have a truck. Oh wait... it's waiting for a 261 to be installed. ha.
I live 78 miles from my job (hence the prius) and in the big town where I work, is where the shop is located. The plot thickens...
In any case, I'll load the engine again... but this time it'll be wearing a fresh coat of paint with the bell housing and engine stand mounting plate still attached.
Just called the shop... "sure, bring it back, we'll fixer up..." (no apologies).
I'm feelin' like Roy Mercer right now. I'd like to put a pop knot on his head big 'nuff to high-center a jeep.

Jerry

Jerry, did you check their other work, like the precise bore size and finish on the cylinder walls? Even if you don't have machinist's precision tools you can check the bore size with a piston and a feeler gauge.

Finding competent machine work is a challenge and stuff like this happens while we are looking for somebody who is capable of doing the job correctly.

My guy retired about 15 years ago and I've had some experiences similar to yours since his retirement.

Ray,
You know, my thought before falling asleep was to remember to grab my digital verneer calipers to check the bore sizes in comparison to my pistons.
And yes as Dagwood Bumstead rushing off to work half asleep in the mornings, not only did I forget my pants, pet the wife and kiss the dog, I forgot the calipers!
At least I got the block in the car last night. I'll drop it off to the guy's shop after work and pick it up tomorrow... I'll have my calipers in hand for sure at that time.
They were recommended by some work buddies and have been in business for over 30 years. Maybe a worker error...I think that just like in my own design work at my job, it would also be a good idea to have work checked at a shop, prior to release.

Jerry

Isn't that known as "quality control"?!!

cm

Starfire4,
EXACTLY!
Plus pride in workmanship, assurance of a satisfied customer for repeat business and REFERALS...
I ran by their shop with the block and they drove out the bearing and installed it correctly while I watched. All of 3 minutes!
The owner was apologetic but the worker I think just discovered something about bearing orientation... but was too proud to admit it. I hope the owner gave a good talkin' to him after I left.

Jerry

I'm not sure I would want to remove the bearing and reinstall it. I would use a new one, as they get slightly broached going in then out and in again. In other words they don't fit as tight then. Even the machine shop should know that.

Isn't there some staking that takes place?

Jerry, Do yourself a big favor and make sure the camshaft fits correctly (actually goes in all the way) before you completely re assemble the lower end. These bearings have actual locations where they go into the block. They are numbered. If installed wrong, the cam wont go in and it practically impossible replace them CORRECTLY with the crank and rods in the block. This of course is on a small block chevy but a lot of other GM engines are the same.

It's impossible to get the stovebolt cam bearings in the wrong position. Each one is a different size by several fractions of an inch, not thousandths. Big one up front, smaller ones by steps going toward the back!
Jerry

Actually, it wasn't that the bearing was in the wrong journal.
It was in the correct spot, but it was rotated incorrectly in relation to it's oil feed hole (see pics in earlier post).
It was corrected, the bearing wasn't damaged on the O.D. (no broaching damage) and the cam is now installed as is the crank... everything's fine and I'm making progress again... till the NEXT dilemma!
I really appreciate you guys.
Pistons are next!
Jerry

If it had no marking on it then it was not installed in a proper size hole then. I would never ever reinstall a press in cam bearing or anyother type of bushing ever. I worked many years on industrial engines and am a machinist. So I know a bit about this stuff.

I agree- - - -any press-fit bearing is a "one time only" installation. The mention above of small block V-8 cam bearings getting installed in the wrong hole was something my students would do on occasion. When I closed down my school shop after 30+ years, I had several partial sets of cam bearings in the storeroom with one or two missing. I would never allow them to remove and reinstall a bearing, even if it was in the right hole. Ditto for wrist pin bushings.
Jerry