installing new cam in old engine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 145
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From: Downtown
installing new cam in old engine
a thought just occured to me::crazy:
if I'm gonna put a new cam in my old mid 80s 350, what about the cam bearings? would putting a new cam over old bearings work well? wouldnt there be conflicts with the surfaces or oil pressure loss? they say you gotta put in new lifters with the new cam, what about bearings? :chevy
if I'm gonna put a new cam in my old mid 80s 350, what about the cam bearings? would putting a new cam over old bearings work well? wouldnt there be conflicts with the surfaces or oil pressure loss? they say you gotta put in new lifters with the new cam, what about bearings? :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
Likes: 1
From: delmont pa
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: installing new cam in old engine (14-Paul)
the big problem will be getting the old lifters out because of the varnish on the lower part of the lifter. i have had to pull the lifters up as far as possible,remove the old cam and then push the lifters out the bottom. :chevy
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton Square,NJ ; Mercer
Re: installing new cam in old engine (14-Paul)
14-Paul, you will be fine with the original cam bearings. I have never seen a set wear out. I have done many times what you want to do without a problem. If you come up with a lifter that does not want to come out, use something like a dental pick on the top of the lifter, like on the retaining clip
to pull it up, and then twist it out. Then again, unless your motor has a million miles on it, you won't have a proplem. You will see a big improvement in performance with a new cam grind.
Lou
to pull it up, and then twist it out. Then again, unless your motor has a million miles on it, you won't have a proplem. You will see a big improvement in performance with a new cam grind.
Lou
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: installing new cam in old engine (63FI)
Yep the old lifters could be stuck. But, squirt some carb cleaner on them and use a lifter removeal tool and they will come out without too much grief. As the others said, don't worry about the cam bearings they will be fine. Suggest you pull the posts in the C3 section about changing a cam on the SBC's for some sound advice.
