Camshaft Bearing Installation - Step by Step

In this video we’ll be taking an in depth look at the process of installing camshaft bearing in a Small Block Chevy.

Previous video showing engine disassembly and cam bearing removal:

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book below. It has detailed instructions, tips, and full color images detailing every step:

Small Block Chevrolet Stock and High Performance Rebuild Book (Physical or digital):

Allstar ALL96470 Engine Cam Bearing Installation Tool:

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**The above links to tools, items, and parts used in this video may earn me a small commission through Amazon. This helps me tremendously to invest back into the channel and provide the best content possible. If you are considering purchasing any of these items, I would greatly appreciate you using my links. I will ALWAYS give you guys the same tools, products, and items that I use, or of equal or better value. Thank you!

[camarors]

Its important that the installer doesn’t bounce on the bearing. That’s the only mistake you made. There was a chip of metal coming of the bearing.

[rorydottin]

This is the exact sequence which the factory uses to install camshaft bushings/bearings, and which I have used for over 40 years. Despite my informing machine shops of this sequence, they have a'lways positioned the oil feed hole at the main bearing access feed port.
Also, I fit #1 bearing from the inside from the rear of the block.

[RonaldLewis-pyyt]

I thought you did a Great job on the cam bearing installation especially to illustrate to someone who wouldn't understand, i assemble engines on a regular basis and my company wants the bearings to line up with the Main feed but I will position my 383 on the 4 o'clock position!!Thanks for sharing and yes your machine shop did a nice job cleaning, boring and honeing your block for a great foundation!!😊😊

[JustSpark]

Every used cam bearing ive ever seen, had 90% of its wear (or more) at the 5-6 oclock positions. Performance builders install them at 4oclock iirc

[christopherfriedberg]

I don't like "beating" on bearings. I've always used a threaded arbor and pressed the bearings in the bores.

[truthboomertruthbomber]

The oil hole should be at 4. This feeds the oil to the cam journal at the ideal point where it will naturally be pulled into the point of highest load which is at the bottom of the cam journal. All the lifters are pushing the cam down so the highest load is at the bottom.

[mikeuva]

nice job !! you get an A for that instruction

[bernacarr]

This was a great informative video. So understandable. Thank you

[Boatsandhotrods]

I have the same tool! I bought it from e-bay at leat 10-12 years ago.

[charleswittmer]

amazing how a person can give instructions wrong while learning a procedure, kinda reminds me of a electrocardioligst instructing on pacemaker installs when he never really did it for a living

[paulzomerfeld]

If you draw a center line all the way around the bearing you can look in main oil hole and see how deep it needs to be

[JamesJohnson-dexd]

Good work, noticed some of the shell, probably stainless chipped, like 396 camaro said might have been caused by bounce, but repeated removal of the arbor allowed some into the bearing ID and bedded it in the babbit.

[BM-xcsq]

Could the cam bearings be put in the freezer(to shrink) before driving them in to prevent peeling the metal off of the bearing....GREAT video by the way!

[chevybeaglenox]

Very nice video. You describe it very well

[eastside]

I have seen the #1 & #2 bearing being installed with the tool threw the back of the block and also blue loctite litely on new bearing.

[adamvu]

the tapered side facing the engine only when the first bearing is not installed.

[papabatsquatch]

Just came across your cam bearing video and noticed the prop tattoo on your arm, was you a machinest mate in the Navy

[borismcfinnigan]

Are you sure? if the last bearing is 10 thou bigger than the 2 before it, how does number 5 journal get through shells 3 and 4?? I know on mine they only get smaller from front to

[alanhovious]

I really enjoyed your video as it offered a different view for the install.Every YouTube presenter seemed to have their little tips
which joined together make it easier for me to understand since I’ve never removed/installed cam bearings. One thing I noticed that some builders recommended using a special Zinc lube to oil the cam to help protect it from first engine start. They included the cam bores. I agree with your installation of not lubing the cam bore to decrease the chance of spinning. Thank you for your time in making such a good video for beginners. I didn’t think it was too slow just detailed.

[MrPilipsi]

that was great lesson how to make the job done!!