hey all, got a few problems with my 383 buildup.
i purchase the 306 cam for my 383. bought some Clevite cam bearings for the block.
when i took the old cam out (Lingenfelter cam), i wanted to see if the new 306 cam would fit (for ****s and giggles).
i always use good cam and assembly lube.
the cam made it thru the first bearing (remember, these are still the old bearings in the block) but was hard thur the second bearing. at this point, i stopped. use alot of effort to rotate the cam, and still, did not want to turn. i had to use alot of force to remove the cam.
upon removal, i could see new score marks on the old bearings where there were none before. no marks on the cam journels.
The new Clevite cam bearings i got are for my block. Again, the new cam went in fine thru the first bearing, but not the second.
and again, the second bearing is scored.
Are there special cam bearings (oversized??) for these cams? i have to get a telescoping bore gage to measure the inside diameter of the cam bearings and compare it to the diameter of the journels on the cam and see wtf? the new bearings were installed correctly, true and straight.
the oil holes were lined up correctly too, using the F Body service manual.
users of 306 cam, what bearings did you go with? any other ideas?
sorry for the long post.
Lee
96Z 383

 

Ah, yes I"ve heard of this before... It's called Block rot .... it's when the block becomes warped from excessive heat and abuse.... You'll never be able to fit that cam back in there or anyother cam again...You should get rid of that block ASAP! There's no way to fix it... Since your 383 is now worthless... I'll take it off your hands for say... how bout $200 bucks? THat sound good? What kinda pistons come with it?

 

that is not really helping me.
the block has been stored in my garage, has not been abused.
i installed a full Lunati set in her. Forged crank, racing 6" rods and pistons.
any other help?
Lee
96Z 383

 

take it to a machine shop for $100 they will hone the cam jornals and install the brgs

 

I would take your cam to a shop or a friend with a micrometer to make sure the new cam journals are within spec. If your old cam went in and out of there fine then it is possible the journals are a hair large. If it mikes out ok then take the block to a shop that can run a dial bore gauge down the cam bores and measure the difference between the cam and the bearing to check clearance. If it is only #2 that is tight then there a couple ways to handle it. First make sure you have the right bearing in there as the bearings are 3 slightly different sizes in the outside diameter. Second after verifying that you have the right bearings you can get a #2 bearing and have your local shop hone it out a few thousandths. Or (old school tech) get an old cam and use a die grinder to cut a sharp groove down the middle of each journal. run that cam in the block and rotate it to cut away the offending material. I know it sounds horrible but thousands of machinists around the country have done it for many many years and it works - ask your dad

 

I was only joking.... trying to get you some TTT