Just a dumb question on cam bearing orientation. I had my block cleaned, magnafluxed, bored and honed. They put in new cam bearings and core plugs while they were at it.

I noticed that the rear most cam bearing has it's oil hole oriented up toward the top of the engine while all the rest have the oil hole oriented down toward the bottom of the engine.

For those of you who have replaced cam bearings before, does this sound normal?
Thanks!
Brad

 

No, it does not.

The lifters are constantly pressing downwards on the cam, which causes any clearance in the bearings to appear at the top of the cam bore. If the oil holes are up there, they act like a GIANT internal oil leak.

You should have them put all the bearings at about the 4:30 - 5:30 position, viewed from the front; such that the gap is mostly closed up, but not completely, and the cam journal receives fresh oil just as it reaches maximum need.

The front bearing has 2 holes. The exta one is designed to supply extra oil for the timing set. I usually put that one in with the holes at about 2:00 - 2:30 and 5:00 - 5:30.

Good catch.

 

Agred with Sofa- they all should point basically "down." Opinions vary anywhere between the 3 and 6 o-clock position, but always on the down side so the fresh oil is being swept easily to the bottom of the bearing, where the load is when running.

 

Thanks guys. I will be contacting the shop tomorrow to discuss this. I appreciate the input on this as it seemed a bit weird. Again, thanks!
Brad