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Cam bearings scored!!!!!

19K views 30 replies 13 participants last post by  360 Notch for ur LS1 
#1 ·
I bought a set of 03 cobra heads and the cam bearings are scored. Looks like some one took sand paper to them. I know I should probably return them I'm going to try but it probably won't happen - ebay. :mad:

What can I do to fix this? Who does this kind of work?
 
#2 ·
I know couple years ago one of the online shops was advertising that they could bore the cam journals and install actual 2 piece bearings but i cant remember who it was,VT engine maybe?
Anyway,any machine shop should be able to line bore the journals and mill the caps down i would think.just like line boring the main journals on an engine block.
 
#4 ·
And then what? what will they use to fill the gap? I didn't know what the cam bearings? journals? are called. but "bearings" people understand.
 
#5 ·
Has anyone actually had this done or know of how to do it? What is this called? What the the "bearings" called? So when I make the millions of phone calls tomorrow I can cut it down by a few by being able to explain what Im looking for.
 
#7 · (Edited)
If anyone would like pics please send me your email. Maybe someone could post the pics I send, but I don't know how to do it.

Every single journal has this scraped look and its rough. Too rough to be factory. with the cam installed there is a gap between the cam and the journal about .01 to .02 of an inch on the sides with the cages off.

These pictures are large files... And you can zoom in a lot to get really close.
 
#8 ·
there is no gap to fill when they are done.you tell them you want the camshaft journals line bored or honed.
They then mill down the caps however much is needed to clean up the gouging you have and then they bolt them on and rebore the holes back to factory size.
 
#9 ·
How do you figure they are going to remove material from the journal then bore or hone them back to fatory specs? Only options are too have someone mill them then install bearings, which I highly dont recomend. Even finding someone to do it will be a task.
 
#10 ·
You are not listening very well to what sn8bite has been saying.

1. Find out how much clearance is needed for the cam journals. I think it is .002" but not positive. I think this figure is in the SHM book.
2. Take it to a reputable machine shop along with a set of cams. First they will mill each cam tower down a couple thousands of an inch making the hole smaller than factory.
3. Then they will align bore each cam journal back out to the correct spec.

DO NOT PUT BEARINGS IN YOUR HEADS.
 
#11 ·
This is a great way of getting around using bearings. You should be able to more easily understand this description than sn8bite's but they are both saying the same thing. As long as the mill isn't too low, the machinist won't run past the max adjustment for valve stem contact.

I could draw a picture in paint if that would make more sense, lol.

~Eric
 
#13 ·
Depending on the scoring I would guess only .003-4" max would need to be milled off the journal tops on the head. If they are just light score marks .002" would probably suffice.

Everyone that i have heard of going with cam bearings had nothing but problems that they never resolved.
 
#16 ·
Honestly I don't know what problem they had... Probably oil starvation then the person selling them tried to cover up the issue by sanding it down.

Again if anyone would like pics, just pm me or put up your email.

Anyone know of a shop in the tristate area that can do a line bore and mill? Just asking. Ill have to do my calling around tomorrow and it might save me some time if someone knows. I will post all information with this process so as people know. In case someone else goes through these problems.
 
#17 ·
We've line bored a few sets to get them correct. Always check this when you blow head gaskets - cylinder warps and when you bolt it down, the cam(s) get tight.

Never installed the little bearings as they reduce the clamping area of the cap. In a stock application it would probably work fine. In a performance head were the cam dynamics are higher, the thinner cap (top) could flex.

BWDIK
 
#20 ·
LOL at all yall.


I Have the 2pc cam bearings in my full tilt heads.

I too had a set of scored cam journals and it ruins a set of cams... the heads can be fixed.

I used Houston Performance down here in good ol TX.

You can call HPP in Lewisville TX, Houston Performance in Houston TX, or the Head Shop in Houston TX.

Its a very nice mod and Im happy with the results. Plus- If I was to mess up and loose oil pressure again the heads would be fine and only the cams and bearings would need to be replaced. Saves me $$$$ on my heads.

Cheap insurance at around $450 including bearings.


Tell em Ubil sent you.
 
#21 ·
so everyone knows;
I ordered anther set of heads for now

when my motor is up and running again, i will spend the time to find out where to fix these other heads. I will then post all of my info as my progress is made.
 
#23 ·
I will do that, thanks.

Probably in about 2 weeks.
 
#24 · (Edited)
For all that are looking to get their cam journals fixed - Fox Lake does both line boring and installing 2 piece cam bearings. I personally think the bearings are the better way to get because then you have a simple fix if anything goes wrong in the future. Each Journal is $40 (includes bearing price) so for one head to be done they charge $480. So that is $960 for both heads to be done. So for anyone - Just buy new ones if they are that bad.

The heads that this post are about are going to be used in a junk parts built motor that i have no concern for. I am going to leave the journals the way they are and run the motor into the ground. Probably see how much boost the motor can take on a stock set of pistons.
 
#26 ·
Sorry, When I started making calls I forgot about them. I will look into them and post their information later.
 
#27 ·
I had this same issue about 4yrs ago with my current heads. The 1st journal was ruined. I had bearings put in on 1st journal on each side and have had no issues what so ever. This is on a high horsepower application so IMO if it was an issue it would have broken by now.


Alain
 
#28 · (Edited)
I completely agree if a couple journals need to be fixed but the one I am talking about needs every journal replaced. I just want this thread for future "children" to know what they are looking at in terms of cost and can it be done.
 
#29 ·
I got the same $9**.00 price quote from HPPRACING for the work and bearings. I can get a perfectly good set of used heads for $700 + shipping from a friend that I deal with.

Thank you everyone but for the future just buy new heads.
 
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