Pulled the original 360 out of my 86 w250 apart yesterday. Had 150k on it. Ran fine but oil pressure was a little low and it was getting tired. Noticed the cam bearings are tottaly shot. Flaking and chipping on all 5. Ironically the engine I rebuilt last year and put in it was an 86 block also. The cam bearings looked just as bad in that one before they were replaced. Did Chrysler have a bad run of bearings in the 80s? Out of all the 60s and 70s engines I've had apart, I've never seen bearings look like this.Also what bearing is a good replacement? I'm seeing a lot of different part numbers. Thanks
Cam bearing problem
- Thread starter Dartish
- Start date
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Sealed Power is fine.
RAMM
Well-Known Member
The Lisle tool is great but it's all in the technique when dealing with cam bearings in a Mopar. You will have to come up with your own ritual but mine involves prayer, finger crossing, blessings etc..and when it all goes right-dancing a jig. First tip---Don't put anything away until you test fit a cam. J.Rob
I've heard the guy at my old machine shop say mopar cam bearings are tricky. What makes them different then say a small block chevy? Seems they be easier since you can see them from the top and bottom both???
RAMM
Well-Known Member
Shitty machining from the factory is why. It is also why , when you correct everything on a Mopar they respond so well. J.Rob
My 80's 318 block I just tore down had lousy cam bearings as well.
When we redid the 273 we had machine shop install new cam bearings. I think $200 total imstalled. Good luck.
I thought I read somewhere about a certain bearing number getting modified. Do a search
When we redid the 273 we had machine shop install new cam bearings. I think $200 total imstalled. Good luck.
I thought I read somewhere about a certain bearing number getting modified. Do a search
RAMM
Well-Known Member
Wow! $200 for cam bearings and install! This is one area where I need to raise my prices. I'm $12.50 a bearing install and about $45 for bearings--Durabonds seem to be the best BTW. J.Rob
I cant remember the price exactly. I know the bearings were right around $70 or so.
Isn't there a mod on one (if not more) bearings J?
Oh...no your prices are good leave em be lol
Isn't there a mod on one (if not more) bearings J?
Oh...no your prices are good leave em be lol
Snake
Mopar Nut
I think its a year thing with 360,when i pulled apart my 86, 360 for my old 69 Dart saw the same thing FLAKING CAM BEARINGS. Time for a rebuild.
RAMM
Well-Known Member
I don't modify the bearings at all unless you consider de-burring the ID a modification. The real prep is to the housing bores themselves and the way I tighten (how tight) the tool on the bearing, how I hold the tool , and how hard or not hard I drive the bearing in with my hammer. I feel even the size of the hammer is important--I use a 2lb sledge. J.Rob
I think it is. I had a 340 sleeved for that and the price included one sleeve, boring and honing the sleeve to match, labor, hot tank, cam bearings and core plugs for that same $400, and people told me that I got ripped off.
RAMM
Well-Known Member
You ripped THEM off IMO. J.Rob
When ordering cam bushings there is a year split when it comes to the part #'s. For a 360 using Durabond #'s 1971-78 uses part # PD-16 or PDP-16 and from 1979 to 2003 uses part # PD-25 or PDP-25 . The difference is in the width of the 3 middle bushings, the earlier one is .760 wide bushings and the later one is .615- .625 wide bushings.
Pricing for install, I see you've been quoted is rather steep. We charge 11.25 a bushing. Also pick up a new cam plug part # 96-1888crt (QualCast) or kit # 97-11.
Pricing for install, I see you've been quoted is rather steep. We charge 11.25 a bushing. Also pick up a new cam plug part # 96-1888crt (QualCast) or kit # 97-11.
fratzog lover
Well-Known Member
You didnt, you scored.
nm9stheham
Well-Known Member
All the bearing soft materials will flake off with age; 30-40 years to a problem seems common. (I dunno if it is just a particular mfr at a particular era, or due to oil acids or what.)
Labor rates vary a LOT in different parts of the continent. Nothing new in that.
Labor rates vary a LOT in different parts of the continent. Nothing new in that.
I thought I did alright too. It started in a thread where someone was asking what the cost was to sleeve a cylinder. I said $400 bucks and was told I got ripped off. Apparently they didn't take everything else into account that's required for the job. With the tank comes the plugs and bearings, that's a given. There were prices bouncing around all over the place from $60.00 to $100.00 for the sleeve. They were correct. It is about $80.00 for a sleeve if they were to hand it to you. If you want it put in the engine things are going to cost a little more.
rustycowll69
Well-Known Member
regarding the bearing material flaking: I don't know, but my best guess is poor oil change routine, and long term sitting with contaminated oil creating acids that attacked the bearings.
fratzog lover
Well-Known Member
Try running ACL bearings.
All replacement cam bearings are made by Durabond except for Federal-Mogul's. Does not matter what the label says. Do you Have any water in the oil?
All replacement cam bearings are made by Durabond except for Federal-Mogul's. Does not matter what the label says. Do you Have any water in the oil?
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