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Gen II Geoff
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2003
22:45:24
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 Subject: attn: ASE techs / engine builders
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I recently put a rebuilt engine in my friend's 98 Chevy K1500. I had a machine shop bore and hone the cylinders, align hone and install cam bearings, and balance the rotating assembly. I put the motor together and it failed within 250 miles.
I pulled a rod cap and found approx 1/8" groove around the crank journals and a cam bearing that wasn't lined up with the oil galleries behind it.
While I"m not ASE certified, I put together a real nice 318 for my dak and have had no problems with my motor. I also worked as a dealer tech, so I seriously doubt its anything I did.
I took the 350 back to the machine shop to show them the bearings and they said, "There is no wrong way to install cam bearings."
My question is why do they put the two oil holes in a cam bearing if they don't have to line up with a gallery?
I would appreciate any comments you may have on the matter. Is there a correct way to install cam bearings? If they were put in incorrectly what would happen to the engine?
May I show your comments to the machine shop?
If so could you please give me an ASE cert # to aid my case?
Thank you
Geoff Fahl Racine, WI
geoff_fahl_1@yahoo.com
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cory
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
16:31:15
|  RE: attn: ASE techs / engine builders
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I apologize I am not ASE certified but i can get comments from people who but I do know from all of the engines I have assembled that the cam bearing holes are to be alinged with the gallery
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Gen II Geoff
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
17:54:45
| RE: attn: ASE techs / engine builders
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Thanks cory, I just want to be able to show them however many people support me on this issue. ASE cert would help, but certainly isn't necessary. I just took my engine mechanical test but it probably won't come through before this issue is over.
Thanks again
Geoff
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bfs
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
23:32:40
| RE: attn: ASE techs / engine builders
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I’m not ASE certified, but I have passed most of the auto and HD truck tests (I have A4, T4, T5, and T8 left to take). I took them while I was still at UTI, but I went to college before I could finish a year in the field; so, no certificate for me. Fortunately, you don’t need an ASE certified mechanic; you need to go to a competent machine shop! It is easy to mess up when installing cam bearings. There are 3 important areas to watch for when installing them: 1) they must be inserted correctly because obviously the oil holes need to line up. 2) if the bearing is cocked it will become distorted and spin in the bore, which will cut off the oil supply. 3) Material must not be removed when installing the bearing.
Rule number 1 of engine building: Check the machine shop’s work. Rule number for a machinist: don’t trust the builder’s numbers. Always cover your ass when you can. Anyone can make a mistake, but it is your rebuild and your responsibility to catch it. Legally, I don’t think there is anything you can do. It will be your word against their word, and you tore down the block so there is no independent opinion. If you really want to show them that they don’t know jack, then go to the library and get a book on engine building. Cam bearing installations are a standard procedure, and any book worth a darn will tell you what to look for. Although, cam bearings usually don’t show much wear. I’ve rebuilt dozens of engines, but have only needed to replace a few sets of cam bearings. I only replace them if they are close to being out of spec; it isn’t prudent to replace something that doesn’t need replacing. New doesn’t equal better.
Bottom line: ALWAYS check the machine shop’s work! Even if you do everything perfect, they might have messed something up.
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Gen II Geoff
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
23:40:22
| RE: attn: ASE techs / engine builders
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I've built enough engines that I should've checked that but I was in such a hurry that it went right past me. I'm thinking rule number two should be don't build engines in a hurry, but my friend had to drive back to school that night.
thank you
Geoff
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