cam bearing questions

[Michael Mayben]

An "expansion"-type cam bearing tool set does not use a "disc" as commonly found in bushing driver sets. The driver adapter for each cam bearing in a full set must be capable of being adjusted to exactly fit the id of the particular bearing being installed. In the case of the ihc sv engines which use five cam bearings, then the correct driver head must accommodate a broad range. However, in all the various cam bearing tools I've used over the years, the same head is used for all cam bearing positions.

Older driver heads used two, three, or four "o" rings to support the bearing and center it in the head/mandrel, the rubber rings can't cause any bearing surface damage if installed correctly.

Most of the newer cam bearing tools have a urethane "band" that completely surrounds the expansion die segments, then the bearing is slid over the band and the expansion nut snugged up by hand in preparation for setting the tool into position in the block.

The expansion heads/mandrels are numbered 1 thru 5. All ihc I-4/sv cam bearings are installed using the #3 expansion head/mandrel.

 

[sotis]

Thanks - the lisle 18000 any good, otc? I am starting to acquire IH motors and vehicles so I better figure this out. I appreciate the info

 

[Michael Mayben]

thanks - the lisle 18000 any good, otc? I am starting to acquire IH motors and vehicles so I better figure this out. I appreciate the info

The cam bearing tool set shown in that pic is a lisle. The latest version which uses an aluminum driver bar rather than the heavier steel bar used in the older tool sets.

I also use an older snap-on tool with the "o" ring-type mandrels. I definitely think this newer mandrel design that uses the urethane sleeves is superior, especially for setting up the mandrels on the driver when they have to be selected/installed. But...you must make absolutely sure that the urethane surface is meticulously clean with no embedded particles of anything.

I've had this tool about a year now and used it on several IH motors (both remove and install) and one Ford block. Due to the aluminum driver bar being significantly lighter to handle, I think this tool is superior.

I also use this tool (with the "short" driver extension only) to remove and install bushings in 727 slush box trannys when the mandrel is the appropriate size. Haven't tried it yet on hub bearing races but it should work ok for that also if the mandrel is appropriate diameter.

This pic shows the snap-on tool installing the #4 bearing, the #5 is already in place but has not had it's rear section blended into the block oil ports yet. I don't have any pics of the lisle tool but it's use is absolutely identical and overall setup is somewhat easier.