Camshaft Bearings

[Snapperpaul]

The build of my 2.1 Pinto has progressed ( slowly) and i now need to get the head ready to a point where the cam (whichever one I decide upon) is fitted so a set of new cam bearings have been procured.

But I can't find any details on how to remove the the old bearings safely or how to fit the new ones.

The bearings seem very thin so my old method of a screw driver used as a drift and an old bearing used to drive in the new, looks like it won't work.

Any ideas?

[Guest Ian & Carole]

Paul

 

I would remove a fine hacksaw blade from its frame, pop it through the bearing housing then re fit to its frame and slowly cut a groove into the old bearing.

 

You could do this in a couple of places then the bearing will almost fall out.

 

New ones are a tight fit and it might be worth getting them done, for what it will cost.

 

You could heat the head in the oven and freeze the bearings, but they are a really tight fit.

 

If you do cut the old ones out, obviously clean clean clean.

[Guest SEgan]

I cut the old ones out with a dremel.

I filed a slight chamfer on the edge of the new one to get them started and squeezed them in using blocks of hardwood and G-Cramps

[Snapperpaul]

The cutting out of the old bearings could, with my luck, ruin the bearing tunnel and as the consensus is to get the new bearings pressed in by an engineering firm then i will get them to take out the old ones as well.

Thanks for the advise, at least i know it wasn't me being a bit wimpy, i just didn't like the look of the job.

[Guest joni]

I cut mine with a fine saw, it works fine as long as you do it very slowly, I then pressed the new ones in by holding the head up on a large benchtop vice.

 

I didn't like the look of it either especially as I was running the risk of ruining the head I'd just had ported and valve seats recut, but in the end it took about an hour, which considering I was looking at £60 to get a shop to do it sounds like time well spent.

 

Having said that I wouldn't want to be responsible for it going wrong so maybe play it safe if you don't like the look of the job and get a shop to do it anyway?