SBB 350 Cam installation questions

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by Seven6Regal, Oct 27, 2019.

  1. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    Good morning.

    While installing my Crower 50256 cam last night I noticed the front bearing was very tight. I was able to coax the cam into position, now the cam will not turn by hand. Is this correct, does the bearing need replacing? At this point the cam will not come out of the engine. What are my options?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Oil it up and pull it out. You need to check straightness / runout of cam turning cam on v-blocks.

    Your cam bearings might be installed slightly cocked and causing the binding, or if bearings weren't replaced, the cam is bent. They should warranty that cam for you.

    Either way, you have to replace cam if bent, or replace a cam bearing or two to correct it. I've seen new cams with too much runout that would bind up trying to install.
     
  3. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    Thanks!
     
  4. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    When you were installing the cam, were all the journals tight going thru the #1 bearing or just the front one journal?
     
  5. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    put the gear and bolt in it and see if it spins. The new cam may be tight since theres no wear. But you dont want it too tight that is bad. You did lube it to put it in right.?
     
  6. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    I don't buy that crap about having to ream a cam bearing i.d. to get the cam to spin.
    It wasn't installed straight then.
     
  7. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    I have had a few shops have to supposedly “dress” the cam bearings.
     
  8. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    The first journal was tight at first, I was able to get the lubed cam installed completely. There is plenty of lube on the cam, the fit is too tight to turn with my hand using gear or anything else.

    I'm going to press it out from #5 then replace the freeze plug, the cam and cam bearings.
     
  9. Dr. Roger

    Dr. Roger Stock enthusiast

    Yeah, it shouldn't be too hard to turn, especially with the gear on. I would replace the bearings then see if fits. If it still doesn't, then replace the cam.
     
  10. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Are those newly installed, or bearings that were already in the block?
    If used, new cam could have run out.
    Does the old cam still fit and turn easily?? Try it.
     
  11. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    New bearings and cam. Bearings were installed by machine shop.
     
  12. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    The cam doesn't budge by hand. I put a pipe wrench on it to turn it so at this point it's toast. I have to press it out otherwise it's stuck in the block.
     
  13. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Get cam out, then try the fit of old cam. If it doesn't go, your cam bearings are fubar.
    The mach shop should have had a master or asked for your new cam to fit it after bearing install....
     
    alec296 likes this.
  14. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    Yea. Have the shop look at them. Too tight. Did you do a complete rebuild? Change pistons?
     
  15. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    I'm going to return the engine to the machinist.
     
    alec296 likes this.
  16. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    This is a complete rebuild.
     
  17. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Anything to report?
     
  18. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    Finally got the cam out of the engine, renting cam bearing installer from AutoZone and replacing cam bearings. Nothing else for now.
     
  19. MrSony

    MrSony Well-Known Member

    Make damn sure the oiling holes are lined up if using stock bearings. If using TA, 7 and 3 o clock on the holes.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2019
    Seven6Regal likes this.
  20. Seven6Regal

    Seven6Regal Well-Known Member

    Finally took the block back to the machine shop on Monday. I also gave them every part to reassemble up to the heads, I want everything working correctly when I get it back.
     
    MrSony likes this.

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