I was just rebuidling the engine in my Firebird (spun a rod bearing), when I was taking out the cam it was really difficult, I ended up having to use the bolt at the front and pulling on it pretty danm hard. The engine has been sitting apart for over a year, so I made sure I used lots of WD40 when pulling it out. Looking at the cam shaft bearings now, I can see scratches, and it's not perfectly smooth. Do I need new bearings? This really sux, cause I was about to start building the engine up again, only took the cam out because I wanted to lube it up properly before I started the engine up.

 

Get new bearings. This deep in the motor.....you don't want to take short cuts.

 

I agree, if there is anyquestion you might as well change them, it would save you MANY hours later on if you had to rip the engine out and tear it down.

 

Yah, I'm sending it in to the machine shop....
Guess I'll have to wait until the end of finals now to finnish my engine up

 

1. Are the bearing journals of the old cam torn up, worn with a groove, etc? If so, new cam bearings for sure. If not....

2. Do a test-fit of the new cam before you decide. Put a little oil on the journals, install it temporarily and see how easily it slides in and spins in it's journals. If it goes easy I wouldn't worry about it. Screw it back together.

Cam bearing problems are pretty rare. Stock cam bearings will always be tighter than aftermarket replacements. Yours sounds a little too tight, but you will want to try some of this before you make any further decisions.