I have a quick question regarding my 1989 IROC L-98. The previous owner installed a new crank, bearings, oil pump and rings. Basically he rebuilt the bottom end. He didn't have new cam bearings or freeze plugs installed though. Now the engine runs perfect, plenty of power, doesn't leak or use oil. So... I thought about buying a TPIS cam, new timing set and have the heads worked with new valve springs. My only concern is the stock cam bearings. I'd hate to have a failure with a brand new camshaft. How hard are those to replace? Is it something I can do myself in my garage?

The engine has roughly 150,000 on it. The new bottom end has around 10,000 miles.

 

You need a special tool to install cam bearings & they need to go in the right places as they are sized to each cam journal. Plus you have to line up the oil holes, I'm guessing the engine is back in the car.

 

I honestly don't know if there's someone out there that can do it, but I could not install cam bearings properly without a complete teardown (removal of crank, rods, pistons) to save my life.
IMO it's already enough of a pain to do properly with a bare block on the engine stand. I would never dream of trying to make it any harder.

 

The motor is going to be pulled soon. I bought a low miles corvette L-98 that runs perfect that will be installed in the car. I was wanting to toss my stock L-98 in my 71 camaro, since it runs so well. But seeing how the cam bearing install would be such a PITA I may just tear it down and send it off to the machine shop. Seems nothing is easy...

 

That's why most people just swap cams without replacing the bearings and hope for the best.

 

I can't do that though, a cam swap with everything runs about a grand. I'd hate to spin a bearing and ruin a brand new camshaft. Might as well do it right the first time to avoid any future headaches.