Can i get by doing my cam swap with these bearings?

 

Why Chance it? I would replace them without thinking twice.

 

I dont have the tools. The engine only has 80k.

 

I think you can rent tools from autozone... I think they have a bearing puller.

I just don't want you to kick yourself when the bearings start going out... I mean my l98 went at 68k miles... now with 86k on the clock, then new engine only has 20k miles...

 

They do show some wear. If your unsure, pull the motor and have them replaced.

 

I'm gonna have to disagree.

First, thats the front bearing. Its going to have the most wear and IMO it doesnt look all that bad. I've seen and used engines with a lot worse.

Second, have you ever replaced cam bearings? If not I'd suggest not learning especially on what appears to be an assembled engine. They are not by any stretch easy to install even with a good tool to do so.

Third, looks like the motor is in the car. Forget about the bearings, put in the new cam and forget it.

 

Those are some very good points indeed.

 

I think ill get a short block and solve this problem the easy way.

 

350 short block?

 

most likely was looking to make more power.

 

I would. If you are going with a 305, just use what you have. I personally would put in a 350.

 

Well if your rebuilding the motor really its probably more cost effective to just get a new short block. Not because rebuilding motors is bad just because you can get a GMPP 350 for as low as $1500 trying to rebuild it for considerably less than that to really justify the cost of rebuiling it vs buying a new one would be tough and the motor would have to be in pretty good shape. Course if the motor was in that good shape you probably wouldn't rebuild it would you? The big expence isnt so much the parts its the machine work thats expensive. Time is also not something to ignore. Granted i wouldt replace the motor over cam bearings most people just take there blocks to the machine shop and have them replace the bearings but even if you bought the tool to do it it would still be worth while. However if the motors in the car its impossible to do. I dont want to give an opinion as to if there good or not because not only is it hard to tell from pictures if its good but theres some things you cant show in a picture. Really the only way to really know if there good is to inspect the bearing surface not just by visual but feel how smooth they are (ive heard as a general rule if theres a scratch that will catch your thumbnail if run across it thats bad). Second you have to measure the clearance between the cam and the cam bearing and make sure it falls into spec. My opinion is although cam bearings very well be fine if you cannot prove to yourself that there good by making the proper inspection and measurements necessary then your forced to change them or accept the fact that you may have to tear the motor back apart pre-maturely to fix it again should they be bad.