Thread: new cam a little tight

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i just installed a new camshaft and it seems a little tight in the bores. I had posted earliar that i had to replace the first two bearings in the the front of the motor due to the second bearing being chipped when removing the old cam. Every thing went smooth but i did have to work the new cam back and forth pretty good to get it in. It turns with very slight resistance althought somewhat tight. What do yall think? Am i good?

I'm kind of sweating the same thing. I've always had cams that just slid in place and spun easily, but when I installed the brand new cam into brand new bearings on my 394 Olds it was a little tight. I took it back out and rechecked everything, and then put it back in and turned it a few times to loosen it up a bit. But it is still tight. I looked at the wear pattern that was forming on the bearings and they seemed ok, so I lubed it up and buttoned the engine up.

I hope it will clearance itself when I finally fire up the motor (hopefully this year). My machinist tells me some are just tighter than others, and the cam might be just a hair bigger in the journals than specs call for. I guess I will find out real quick when I start it.

I look forward to seeing what Pat, Jerry, and some of our other engine smart guys have to say about this though. Maybe our bearings are slightly cocked in their bores?

Don

as long as i could grab the cam gear and turn it i was happy it was`nt too tite

well when you drive cam bearing they can get a hi spot in them that why i have cam s to check that if i do not build the engine .so i know they will not grab sounds like you have a hi spot . i use a bearing scraper and work the hi s off then i buff with a worn red scotch bright or a new gray pad . but before i do any thing i first chamfer the new bearings before i drive them .clean the cam housing bores with a ball hone and rework the block if needed for some lead helps to and one pc bearings work better then two pc with the but lock on them . if you can turn if by hand you may be ok but i like them to be some what free lube it well if you think you can get away with it sounds like the lobe nick more then two ? if so you can have a hi spot from that .if you did not take the engine apart make sure your oiling holes line up i drive the front one thru the driver thru back of the block with the line cone so it drive strait . if you drive #1 and #2 thru the front of the block you ods are good you do have a hi spot

It turns with sprocket on it. I put my old cam back in after installing bearings and it spun real free. this new cam is definately tighter. should i pull it back out and check everything. It seems tighter at first but when i turn it it seems to loosen the more i turn it. how loose should the feel. Should i be able to turn the sprocket with a finger?

you could look for hi spots in the bearings did you lube it and try it? you should turn the cam with out the gear . 30w oil on the cam with gear on yes should turn very EZ

will it wear into itself? I put motor oil on the bearings and the red stuff on lobes. Ive heard that comp cams are a little on the fat side of specs. My old cam test fit ok in it.

my cam bearings were the original ford bearings. Whats the chances of this motor never having been rebuilt? Its still in truck.