Has anyone attempted this? I went through some old threads but couldnt find where anyone had tried changing them with the engine in the car. Is this even possible, even with the k-member removed for easy access to the bottom of the engine? I dont have an engine hoist or an engine stand, though I have plenty of time

I pulled my old cam out today and noticed the front cam bearing looked like crap. The car has 147k miles on it, so theres no surprise, I just wish I was better prepared for it. I ordered an install tool and some new bearings that should be here tuesday.

 

can't be done. take the engine out

 

well, if you took out the rad, a/c condensor, removed front bumper, cut the rad support out and.......

just pull the motor

 

most of the tools I hve seen you have to take the cam plug out the back of the block


When you put them back ion make sure you line up the oil holes perfect.

 

Unless you want to drill a big hole in your firewall and dashboard, too, yeah, you better pull the engine.

 

doh thanks for the responses, I wasn't aware that you had to take the plug out the back of the engine. Well the transmission is out getting rebuilt and the rear end is taken apart, so now I gotta fight the urge to do a full rebuild on the engine because this crap is making me go broke

 

There have been some that have replaced just the front bearing, but to get the other four with the engine in the car you better be a magician.

Best thing is to pull the engine and replace them all the correct way.

 

Replacing cam bearings is a royal PITA. I always have the machine shop do it. It is surprising hard to do right without scoring the bearing or getting it in cocked. Also requires a special tool that is good for nothing else. And you better make SURE the oil hole lines up.

Rich

 

Unless your Reid Richards this aint happening.

 

Only thing to add here is LT1 oil hole alignment is a bit more forgiving than older SBC. You dont have a hole lining up with a hole like the old days, its more of a channel that must have the bearing hole positioned within. Hope that made some sense.

I do agree that this is better done by a pro.

 

gonna have to agree here, although i have succesfully done it before on teh engine i am currently building i opted to have the pro do it

 

I would not do this install myself. Send the block to the machine shop.

 

How about only doing the front cam bearing..provided the rest are ok with engine still in car?
Just asking, I don't have mine apart but when doing a cam swap later this year I was wondering what I could do if I get it apart and discover the front cam bearing showing wear...it was just replaced when a shop did the cam swap last year..about 10k miles ago...but it has 441# rate valve springs in it. Never pulled a cam bearing before so I don't really know what to expect.