I am rebuilding a 1969 350 and need help with the location of the bearing holes for bearings 1 through 5. Also i need the clearances for the main and rod bearings when I Gauge them.

thanks

 

Hi "J", it really makes little difference as to the "holes" but you will find if you personally are installing them and the block is on a stand, pan rails up, the first 4 are easier to install with the holes at the 12 o'clock position, and the last one, #5, at the 6 o'clock spot.

In other words, 1-4 would face "up" and 5 would face "down"! The "main" feed holes are used as a "sight" to align the holes and the rear slot is used a guide on #5 with the hole down!!

I'll give you one more "tip" here, if you save the old cam you can take some "nylon-strapping-tape" and tape up ALL the lobes including the fuel pump one, and use this cam for a "trial" fit with the new bearings in place. I use the "strapping" as opposed to the "masking" because it's stronger, won't tear as easy when the lobes "hit" the bearings! This will let you confirm that the new cam fits correctly and avoids leaving any marks on the new bearings from pulling the cam in and out!

"Aim" for .002" on the rods and mains, use an M55A (or Melling's new "Select" series) hi-pressure pump, which was "standard issue" on the Vettes and Z-28's from G.M.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Get yourself some sort of bearing scraper and "debur" the bearings along both sides, on the "babbitt", before you install them. Also put the cam in the block first, DO NOT assemble the short and then try the cam, bad practice!!!