Well i found out why i had no oil pressure on my 97z the second cam bearing was shoot but it never spun ,The 2 rear bearings look great so im going to install the first 3 with the motor in the car ..Was told you can do all but the rear bearing with the motor i the car so sence the 2 rear bearings are fine .There should not be a problem right and the motor has only 80 thous miles on it ..

 

anybody ?

 

I'm aslo guessing the cam is smoked and you'll be replacing that? When you tank the oil pan off inspect/replace the oil pump also.

You can do it in the car, but you risk getting metal shavings in the oil galley from the cam bearing oil hole to the crankshaft main bearings. Plus once you drive the old bearings out you will have to turn the crank to get them out, and you won't be able to really see if the new bearings are lined up correctly with the oil galley. That's why the cam bearing are usually one on the first items installed. You can rent a cam bearing removal installation tool from most auto parts stores. Drive all the old bearings out before installing any of the new bearings and install the new bearings starting from the back of the engine and working your way forward.

I would only do this if I had no other option, and since I am a poor boy and poor boys gots poor ways, be careful and as clean as possible when doing it, good luck.

 

yes i am replacing the cam .

 

Also, when you get your replacement cam bearings all five(5) bearings are not the same. Please make sure you use the correct bearings for the first three positions, (if indeed you plan to replace three(3) bearings).

If only the second can bearing is shot ..... why not replace only the first two(2) cam bearings. The job gets much harder the further back you go in the engine.

 

IMO, not a good idea. There's way too much room for error.

 

No way I would try to install the cam bearings with the motor in the car. How can you even get the inner cam bearings up and into position for the inner locations while maintaining correct oil hole alignment with the rotating assembly in the way. Just not worth it.

I can see maybe replacing the front one with the motor in the car but I would not even do that on my own car.

Just pull the motor and do it right. I can pull my motor and have it on the stand in 3 hours flat with absolutely no assistance.

 

oil pan will be off the motor ..bearings set between 2 and 3 o'clock and front bearing at 10 and 3 o'clock .refrence line in the bearing to line it up .Didn't say it would be easy but it will be done in the car ..Hate to pull the motor for just 3 cam bearings rad and condenser are off so there's enough room ..

 

Good luck to you.
Take it slow and it might work.

Again I would consider doing it the RIGHT way and get them all replaced.

 

Thanks .will take it real slow ,,And i have good help to do it ,Im up to the challenge..

 

Most builders would think that pulling the motor for "just 3 cam bearings" is warranted.