Issues with cam bearings and clearances. Cam will not fit.

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

I can think of a number of methods for cutting cast iron to accommodate precise diameters, but on a slightly different note, I'm more interested in having the best tool reasonably available for inserting a Mopar B/RB engine's cam bearings. Much as I love UTG, I'm willing to pay a few extra $ to get things right the first time, and, having found this

Mopar Big Block 383 426 440 V8 Cam Bearing Installation Tool Removing Bearings

I wonder if any of you have used this tool, and if so, deem it worth the extra C-note to get it.

Maybe there is a better tool, but as far as 'reasonably' as is in use or price can vary.
Remember bearing manufactures rule is that bearing should be pressed in and not hammered. Now we all know every mechanic has at many times hammered in bearings and with good hammering skills can be done with no problems, but here is the question, how are your hammering skills? Do you use your hammer every day? Do you use different size hammers for different applications often? If you don't you cannot develop good hammering skills. I was fortunate enough to have a blacksmithing class in my Junior High shop class with a good teacher that expressed hammering skills.

So we search for a better way...

Cam Bearing Installer [CBT-1] : BHJProducts.com, High Performance Engine Builder Tooling and Harmonic Dampers: +1 (510)797-6780

BHJProducts.com Cam Bearing Installer [CBT-1] - Part No: CBT-1 The CBT-1 Cam Bearing Installer smoothly draws both Babbitt and roller bearings into position using a heavy duty sealed-bearing drive hub. Precise-fitting guide plugs supplied in 24 common sizes (up to 55mm roller), hold the bearing...

bhjproducts.com

Or the other fancy jacking type, "Hydraulic Cam Bearing Tool"

Hydraulic Cam Bearing Tool | Bonefied Tools

Hydraulic Cam Bearing Tool by Bonefied Tools. This six ton hand operated, hydraulic unit pulls the cam bearing into position gently and nearly effortlessly. After using the Hydraulic Cam Bearing Tool the traditional way now seems antiquated and barbaric.

www.bonefiedtools.com

Each of these tools are well over a Grand $$$$

But in the old days there were similar but simpler and less pricey tools that accomplished the job without breaking the bank.

From a old GM service manual:

.

 

[Big_John]

Remember bearing manufactures rule is that bearing should be pressed in and not hammered. Now we all know every mechanic has at many times hammered in bearings and with good hammering skills can be done with no problems, but here is the question, how are your hammering skills?

Thinking on that.... It seems to me that you could easily distort the bearings just enough to make the ID a little smaller.

Of course, in post #7, that video shows a tool that pulls the bearings into place.

And it goes without saying that this video needs to be posted now.

 

[Gerald Morris]

Maybe there is a better tool, but as far as 'reasonably' as is in use or price can vary.
Remember bearing manufactures rule is that bearing should be pressed in and not hammered. Now we all know every mechanic has at many times hammered in bearings and with good hammering skills can be done with no problems, but here is the question, how are your hammering skills? Do you use your hammer every day? Do you use different size hammers for different applications often?

I use my sundry hammers still with some regularity. Given the order of magnitude cost differential between the $180 Mopar specific tool and the two links you thoughtfully provided, I think I can get good value out of the tool I inquired about now.

The quote from the old GM manual encourages me also. I possess a nice electrical sheetmetal knockout cutter set which can easily be used for pulling babbit bearings INTO their appointed holes also. I also have a nice long fine threaded bolt which matches the knockout set AND the damper bolt on our crankshafts. I also am familiar with the malleability of babbit, having played with the stuff as a child, casting sundry articles out of some large ingots given to me by my Wise Uncle, so in all events, I will handle the bearings with due caution.

If you don't you cannot develop good hammering skills.

VERY TRUE! It took me some years as an electrician's apprentice, then industrial motor maintenance shop-hand to learn how to use different hammers for their respective and varied jobs. I possess several nice brass drifts, blocks and stuff today also. Best of ALL, I've learned patience. Even without a reservoir of mimeograph ink, there are other good marking fluids for finding small flaws in metal surfaces, then removing them BEFORE SO MUCH AS TOUCHING ANY HAMMER!!

I think I'll get that Mopar specific cam installation tool kit then, as the Time draws nigh.

Or the other fancy jacking type, "Hydraulic Cam Bearing Tool"

http://[URL]https://www.bonefiedtools.com/

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I already saw this one. I don't want to spend so much on tools as I could just buy a running engine with the same.

Each of these tools are well over a Grand $$$$

YESSSSSssssss...

But in the old days there were similar but simpler and less pricey tools that accomplished the job without breaking the bank.

Big 10-4 there! I thank the Lord I learned some of those now forgotten skills too.

Good enough. I think I can get a good return on some modest tooling up.

Thanks bigtime!

 

[Big_John]

So, today I dropped off my 273 block to my favorite machine shop. I brought an old cam with me and asked if he needed it... He said "yea, the Mopar cam bearings aren't the easiest to get right".

 

[luv69imperial]

The fix that I have been using lately is to just have the cam main bearings ground or polished down. You can take them anywheres from .005-.010s with no problems. This is way better than scraping material off the bearings. You will be able to turn the cam by its dowel with your fingers. The issue is three. Cam bearings are bored from one side of the block and two from the other which lends itself to a small degree of misalignment taking material off to cam. Main bearing is the best way to do this