Help with cam bearing!!!
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Powertrain Specific Forum
Forum Name: 335 Series Engine Forum
Forum Description: 351C, 351M and 400 engines
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=3978
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 11:02AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Help with cam bearing!!!
Posted By: torkair
Subject: Help with cam bearing!!!
Date Posted: 16-July-2010 at 4:39AM
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I got the old stock cam out of my 400 last night and found that the #1 cam bearing is all chewed up. I don't feel comfortable just letting my new cam run on a trashed bearing so I need to replace it. I understand the basic principle of replacing the press-fit bearing but would like some real world experience as backup on this so any help is appreciated!
------------- 72 Gran Torino "sport"- in progress 73 Ranchero GT- Q code-460/C6/3.25 open rear |
Replies:
Posted By: Fordified V8
Date Posted: 16-July-2010 at 6:15AM
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Well, as to not get in over my head I generally out source that type of work. I'd imagine there is a bearing extraction tool. I would suck to try to beat it out of there. If your doing the work while the engine is still in the car it is what it is. If it's out, pull it all apart, get it line bored & change out the lower end bearings as well. It's no big surprise the cam bearings are shot if the engine has alot of miles on it. Good luck. ------------- 70 MACH I "R" code 72 GTS 351CJ 72 TR6 15 F250 Lariat |
Posted By: occupant
Date Posted: 16-July-2010 at 8:46AM
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I would definitely send the bare block to a machine shop. It'll come back all clean and you can paint it, assemble, and it'll look AWESOME. I called my nearest machine shop that didn't answer their phone with a fax machine, and they said $30 to clean the block, $20 to replace all the cam bearings (plus the $21 for the set of bearings themselves cause they won't replace just one). If you don't need to do anything to your heads then that is only $71 plus tax and shop fees. That's cheap. And a bare 400 block only weighs 150-160lbs so it's not too unwieldy.
Seems some of the Carquests in and around Tucson offer machine shop services. One is up north, another out east, seems you've got plenty near you. I've got to drive 30-40 miles to find a shop. There used to be one in town but it's...uh...not in business anymore:  ------------- 15 Cruze LT, 145K, for the wife 08 Uplander LS, 280K, broken again 08 Explorer EB, 248K, backup work car still looking for another something |
Posted By: torkair
Date Posted: 16-July-2010 at 11:15AM
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On the bright side it's on an engine stand and I've got it pretty well pulled apart already. Greg recommended this place thats just up the street from me, probably have them clean the block and install the new bearings, then do the assembly work myself. I was quoted $250 for the whole short block job but I just started a new job after being unemployed for the past 5 months so we'll see where we stand on Monday.
------------- 72 Gran Torino "sport"- in progress 73 Ranchero GT- Q code-460/C6/3.25 open rear |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 01-August-2010 at 4:34PM
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the front cam bearing in a 335 series engine has a few tricks to it. you can't just knock it in like a small chevy and call it a day, there's a spec that says it can't be back from the front edge of the block more than .005", then there's another trick that not in the book. you clock the bearing to reduce the hole that feeds the distributor shaft some, it doesn't need much oil.
and don't look now but Tim Meyer has a special set of cam bearings that restrict all 5(no drilling and tapping needed for restrictor plugs), and they introduce the oil at 4:00 rather than 6:00. this creates the oil wedge in front of the journal rather than under it, oiling the entire underside of the bearing rather than 1/2 of it
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