Advice: Cam Install
 

Alright, i have a 1996 Z/28 and have purchased myself a Comp Cams' camshaft (part# 07-502-08) along with new lifters, pushrods and rocker arms, (valve springs i replaced earlier with LT4's) and all is going well on the tear down of the project...but in the back of my mind is a HUGE worry and concern that i need advice on...
From what i know the car has been maintained very regular according to paperwork i recieved when u bought it, and it had never had a major internal malfunction, the person who owned it brand new out of its showroom was an older lady around the age of 50 when she bought the car, she always had it serviced and at 80,000 miles had the car tuned up, so with all this information in your mine, here goes my fateful advice question...

Can i install this new camshaft WITHOUT replacing my cam bearings?

Thanks - Jon

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

I put a HOTcam in my car at 125k and reused the cam bearings without an issue. (I also reused the stock lifters)

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

thanks for the reply, it sure feels nice to be reassured like that

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

The only cam bearing that might be worth any worry is the front just look at it, most of us find it fine.

I think you need to add decent valvesprings to the list, the LT4s are marginal for the mild lobes of the HOT cam with the LT4s lighter valves and are not up to this cam especially if you put 1.6s on it.

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

I don't think you will have any problems as long as you are clean and careful putting the cam in.

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

Yea, definitely check the front one. Out of 3 engines that I have seen with 80k+ they all needed at least the front one changed. It's the last one to get oil, and it seems the waterpump drive wears on it quite a bit.

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

what is involved in changing the front cam bearing? I can't picture it in my head

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

During my last cam swap the bearing was OK till we let the cam gear hit it:o . The oilpan was completely off so we drove it into the motor and picked it out of the rotating assembly and tapped a new one in from the front. You need to have something just the right size to drive it with and make sure it is straight, it is more of a PITA than it sounds. IF I could have gotten the proper tool on a saturday afternoon I would have likely bought one or rented it but I could not find one. If preplanning see if you can rent or borrow one.

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

If ya just replace the front one ya will put the cam out of line.
GM installs the cam bearings and THEN line bores the bearings. This is why the one failure I had. It didn't blow but there was metal in the pan and upon tear down the bearings were spun and 1 was welded to the cam(fun to get out). They were Clevitte bearings. This was on a personal build. I had Crower springs with 130lb seat and 360 nose pressure,1.6 rockers,and stock lifters.The cam was a Crower 218/224@50 with 600/592 lift.

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

I agree that you should most likely me just fine with not replacing the cam bearings (although you can never be 100% sure unfortunately). I think that the most important thing is to make sure you keep everything clean. I also agree that you should look into getting a more substantial valve spring than the LT4 spring. GOOD LUCK! A cam install can actually be a lot of fun! - seriously.

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

like the others said be careful and clean-

i threw mine in at 110k on the car- didnt replace the bearings and used stock lifters- so far had no problems 10k later - with her seeing 64000 pretty regularly-

and i agree with the post- cam install is soooo exciting

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

Cams don't eat cam bearings. People who install forcefully and dirty eat cam bearings. :p

Just make DOUBLY sure if you use oil to stab the cam to use something like straight 30 weight and be very generous with the journals. Same if you use assy. lube.

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

Thanks very much for EVERYONES input, the new cam is in the car, i smothered it in assembly lube and was careful enough (to my knowlege) not to do any damage, and i will firing it up asap (probably sunday the 29th) and letting you all know :D
BTW: it IS exciting, i love it when i know i did something right and can take pride in my work because I have done it, and that curiosity to hear the new sound of that badass little cam adds on to the more excitement! i enjoy building and upgrading SB Chevy's and i am growing in love for my LT1 just as much as i have my old school small blocks

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

:thumb:

Re: Advice: Cam Install
 

ohh you think this is good.. just wait till you hear it fire...

i started mine up at like 3 in the morning cause i couldnt wait- and of course i had the moment on film... my friend and i just could not stop smiling.:D

edit- ha made me go back and watch it- http://videos.camaroz28.com/search/i...37867bfe4f.htm