Hot Rod has an article on installing roller cam bearings. Does anybody have experience with this setup in a 455? What are the downsides (besides cost).
Hi John, To my knowledge no one offers anything as far as roller camshaft bearings for our Buicks. I think it would be a good idea BUT..... It would involve trying to find a roller bearing that has the CORRECT ID for the OD of our camshaft journals. That would mean that the roller bearings OD WILL BE MUCH LARGER than our stock camshaft saddle bores in the block. SOoooo.....You are looking at all the expense of having the camshaft block saddles bored/honed oversize to fit "your new roller bearings". Once that is accomplished you COULD BE looking at the expense of a custom timing chain to fit (depends on the quality of the machine work done there and if you also had the main saddles align bored/honed). In my opinion, while I'm sure there is something there as far as a few more horses from reduced friction. I personally do not think it would warrant the cost issues involved, especially on a street/daily driver! But seeing this is posted in the RACE forum, it's all relative to how deep your pockets are! I do not know it all so anyone else care to add their experiences or opinions please feel free to! :grin: Hope this helps.......
I recently had a conversation with a local race engine builder about this subject. He said that the needle bearings in cam journals do not reduce friction at all. The only benefit is that you can eliminate oil to them. Then you have to pump less oil and save horsepower that way. Dosen't seem to worthwhile in most applications.
Guy's Next time you have a 455 apart take a look at the webing around the cam my bet is you would not want to bore it out much. There is little to nothing there already. looked at boring them out once to but in big chevy bearings, so we could add some more lift over a buick grind and we changed are minds very quickly.
