59ab .080 over cam journals?

37pickupproject

37pickupproject

Member
Just got off the phone with machinist, he said the cam journals on my 59ab are .080 over size. He said he cannot find bearings anywhere and I'm forced to re use the old ones. Some sort of industrial flathead i guess? Anyone know where I can find these?? Or should I re use? He said they looked ok.

I'm kinda stuck now as he already machined the rest of the block. If bearings are available I'd much rather go new as I have a lot of money into this engine to be re using bearings from a stuck motor...
 
One hour job to machine new bearings from aluminum bar or tube stock.
I would NOT use the old ones.
 
37pickupproject said:
Just got off the phone with machinist, he said the cam journals on my 59ab are .080 over size. He said he cannot find bearings anywhere and I'm forced to re use the old ones. Some sort of industrial flathead i guess? Anyone know where I can find these?? Or should I re use? He said they looked ok.

I'm kinda stuck now as he already machined the rest of the block. If bearings are available I'd much rather go new as I have a lot of money into this engine to be re using bearings from a stuck motor...
Click to expand...
Southside Obsolete had some OS bearings. Seems to me about $20 a set.
 
Pete is that something you are able to do if I cannot find a machine shop around me that can? I will have to talk to my machinist on monday. He didn't suggest it so I'm assuming he doest have the means or know how to get the job done. Plus he's slow. Rather spend my money elsewhere.
 
37pickupproject said:
Pete is that something you are able to do if I cannot find a machine shop around me that can? I will have to talk to my machinist on monday. He didn't suggest it so I'm assuming he doest have the means or know how to get the job done. Plus he's slow. Rather spend my money elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Yes, I could do it but I'm not taking in any work right now.
Too much to do.
Any GOOD machine shop should be able to do it.
 
Interesting. I don't have any experience with this but find it interesting that a block cam bore would be 80 thousandths over sized. That seems way too much for an alignment bore in its past life. The existing cam bushings probably weren't custom made and this situation would cause me to dig deeper into what's going on. Maybe it's a rare or odd-ball engine and maybe these cam bearings need to be fabricated but I'd need to know before I moved forward. Are there numbers on the block side of those bearings? Do they look home made? Personally, if something doesn't seem right or if something doesn't fit, I back off till I can find out the reason why
 
Capt Kirk said:
Interesting. I don't have any experience with this but find it interesting that a block cam bore would be 80 thousandths over sized. That seems way too much for an alignment bore in its past life. The existing cam bushings probably weren't custom made and this situation would cause me to dig deeper into what's going on. Maybe it's a rare or odd-ball engine and maybe these cam bearings need to be fabricated but I'd need to know before I moved forward. Are there numbers on the block side of those bearings? Do they look home made? Personally, if something doesn't seem right or if something doesn't fit, I back off till I can find out the reason why
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It was standard procedure at the factory to salvage a block that wouldn't clean at standard for whatever reason. Bearings to fit were available as replacment parts.
 
I used old cam bearings several times,IF, big IF they check out OK. Mike the cam and bore the check the installed old bearings. If their with in specs use them (.0015 to .oo3").
Just remember, the stock cam bearings are the least loaded, best lubricated bearing in the block. With that said the home made aluninum bearings are pretty easy to make and line bore to specs. alittle pricey.
 
Capt Kirk said:
Interesting. I don't have any experience with this but find it interesting that a block cam bore would be 80 thousandths over sized. That seems way too much for an alignment bore in its past life. The existing cam bushings probably weren't custom made and this situation would cause me to dig deeper into what's going on. Maybe it's a rare or odd-ball engine and maybe these cam bearings need to be fabricated but I'd need to know before I moved forward. Are there numbers on the block side of those bearings? Do they look home made? Personally, if something doesn't seem right or if something doesn't fit, I back off till I can find out the reason why
Click to expand...
Post #11 explained this fairly well.
 
'37,
If Southside can't assist you can find a shop somewhere nearby...be ready to
take the block and cam to the shop so they get it right. If this was my motor I'd
use medium grade bronze for replacement oversize cam bearings. A competent
machinist will allow for a press fit in the block while sizing the ID for the running
fit of the cam. Take the old OS cam bearings along too.
This is only my opinion, I respect any and all other opinions. If only you
resided near Buffalo N.Y. I'd do the job for case of Guiness.
Charlie ny
 
Charlie ny said:
'37,
If Southside can't assist you can find a shop somewhere nearby...be ready to
take the block and cam to the shop so they get it right. If this was my motor I'd
use medium grade bronze for replacement oversize cam bearings. A competent
machinist will allow for a press fit in the block while sizing the ID for the running
fit of the cam. Take the old OS cam bearings along too.
This is only my opinion, I respect any and all other opinions. If only you
resided near Buffalo N.Y. I'd do the job for case of Guiness.
Charlie ny
Click to expand...

Bronze will work fine. More expensive than aluminum.
I would not have them bore the bearings to fit the cam. I would fit and install them in the block and THEN align bore them.
You may luck out and find some you can just hammer in.
 
Thank you very much for all the advice. On Monday I will take a look at the old bearings and measure them and the cam to find out the oil clearance. At least so I know if that is an option.

I know some guys that are into vintage tractors so I'm hoping they can point me in the right direction for some custom made cam bearings. I agree with Pete to get the inserts align bored to fit the cam. Sounds like the best idea.

Another thing, probably not the best option but... has anyone used Teflon coated bearings? I've heard of some vintage guys reusing bearings but having the ID coated with Teflon to tighten up the clearances. Wonder if that could work. Although it wouldn't be able to be alignbored.

Thanks guys, will get back to you with what I find.
 
"Another thing, probably not the best option but... has anyone used Teflon coated bearings?"

Yes, we have used it in our Bonneville engine. Talk to the people that do it to see if it is feasable for your application.
 
To me .080 over seems big enought to machine a sleeve linebore and use the regular bearings.
That will take away the issues of alignment and bushing material.
Bushingmount loctite and go easy on the pressfit.
 
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