Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Ben, the cam should float and turn easily with your fingers with assembly lube and oil on it, and fully slipped into the cam bearings. The spec is around 0.001". My DuraBond coated cam bearings do not look like that. The part number is CHP12T.

On a production block, the cam bearings get their oil the same place as the main bearings, the passages intersect. That passage is drilled from the side, through the oil galley at the pan rail, and then up from the main bearing bores to the cam bearing bores.

Have you cut the filter itself open, and inspected the oil pump?

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Additionally, oil pressure on the dyno was around 50psi, and yes, the bearings were new.

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

I would try a flashlight and inspect passages from mains to cam bearings.
I would especially look at alignment of cam bearing holes to oil passages.

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Alan,

Haven't cut the filter open yet, but I will. I disassembled and cleaned the oil pump before installing it, so I wouldn't really expect there to be any issues with it.

-Ben

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Ben, you need to see what it looks like now.

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Ben,

GTX John/ Jim bring up a great point, are the cam bearing oil holes lined up right ??? I agree with Alan, check the oil pump again, you might be surprised ? Now is the time to do all these checks .. How do the other cam bearings look ?

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Dave,

It's too difficult to see the other cam bearings in the motor. I'll let you know once I finish disassembly. Thanks.

-Ben

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

If front cam bearing is only one like that that hole could be slightly out round or out of line with others.
Moroso makes screen that lays in top of filter that works well for watching for problems.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

After much delay, I finally got around to completing the disassembly and checking everything out:

Oil passages are clean, and all bearing oil holes were lined up properly

I reinstalled the cam and spun it, and it spins very freely. I brought it to the machine shop, and had them mic the journals and bearings, and I've got around .003" clearance. The cam itself looks great.

After disassembling everything, I see no signs of abnormal wear anywhere.

I haven't cut the oil filter open yet, and to be honest, I'm not real sure what I'm supposed to be looking for.

Right now, the plan is to have the blocked cleaned, giving special attention to the oil passages, thoroughly clean everything else, and put it back together with new bearings.

I really appreciate everyone who took the time to respond and offer up their advice and expertise. If there's something that I'm missing, or if I should be delving into something further, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Best Regards,

Ben Kallies
B/S 3869

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

I am going to throw something out for you to check.....if you are running a timing chain and the block hasn't been align bored when you start your reassembly use a new timing gear and chain set....it almost looks like the timing set you had was "short" putting excess pressure on the bottom of your front cam bearing.....


D L Rambo.....