What John originally brought up is definitely a consideration and especially if the cam bearing holes in the block are slightly tighter than normal which is not unusual.  Checking the cam brg hole sizes in the block before attempting to install the bearings will undoubtedly save some grief if any kind of issues are found at this point.  If the center cam bearing itself is grooved around its outside, then I’d suggest pulling that particular bearing in place rather than driving it in.  This is based primarily on my dealing with several of the aftermarket blocks that use the grooved cam bearing technology and all these mandate that the bearings to be pulled into place rather than driven in.  The bearings in these cases will deform in their middles if trying to drive them in place.  Grooving the cam bearing obviously eliminates a machining operation within the block by the manufacturer and in return requires an extra amount of due diligence on the part of the bearing installer.  The depth of the groove in the bearing itself is obviously going to be a major player in how the bearing is ultimately installed so take that into consideration.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Tim:

Thanks for that info, I didn't realize that.  My race engines have the grooves in the block like Ted's, except I use a center bearing with only one hole for bearing lube.  I take a front bearing and narrow it to use in the center.  But like many others have found, clean oil is the key to rocker oiling.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John,

There are cam bearings for some Buick V6s and Ford V6s (2.8, 2.9, 4.0) that are grooved behind the bearing and I have never had one crinkle or collapse, so not a bad idea.  On the other hand I also don't have a problem with the old style bearings, I have good oil pressure and lots of oil to the rockers. Just keep it clean.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Crenwelge, Hi, i agree with you about the more regular higher miles travelled over the years leading to wear on cam bearings, and hence oiling problems, i had many years ago found that the earlier cam bearing steel backing actually had a joined back, it was rolled and had a rounded dovetail join, this plus the early 2 small oil holes, and many everyday wearing miles all lead to the cam bearing loosing tension and slipping out of alignment. For many years with the revised one piece cam steel backing, longer slots and far less miles travelled, the old oiling problem has all but gone, but the myth carries on. All that aside i would wait and see if the new grooved bearing survives installation with out major distortion. i do like teds groove in block though for race type engines.

 Together we ALL try in a combined effort and interest to put our engine in the forefront with technology improvements and hold its truly deserved place in the engine world, thats # 1.

As most of us are coming out of the last turn and can see the chequred flag, its time to sell of half of the unfinished dreams and projects to next generation, dont buy any more parts etc and i still doubt we will finsh half of whats left!   Ah, what a race!!  Best regards  aussie bill.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

I read Ted's article last week. I think it is a simple fix I should have thought of 50 years ago. However, I have never owned a Y-block that had rocker oiling problems. However, back in the 60's when I was driving a Y block 2500 miles a week, I changed my oil every Saturday morning and used the best oil available and I now have 3 Y blocks that get plenty of oil to the rockers. But it was a real problem after the cars got 25k miles or so and the old timers still used ml oil or it took 2 years to put on 2k miles. We have always had gas stations and during the 60's when we still opened hoods, I would venture to say that over half of the Y's had the external oiling fix. I have a NOS 292 block that was stored outside at one time and needs to be bored. I am toying with the idea of using Ted's fix on it even though I don't think it will ever really be necessary. However first, I have I have to get a dozen more projects out of the way and quit buying more.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

My only thought would be the groove would weaken the bearing shell so that it would crush as it was driven in place.  That would probably distort the bearing surface so that the cam wouldn't go in.  Time will tell.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Guys, I just got off the phone with Schumann's Sales and Service, Inc. He told me that in a couple of weeks they are coming out with a set of cam bearings for a Y-Block with a groove on the back side of center cam bearing. It appears it would do the same fix as Ted's fix in the last issue of Y-Block Magazine of cutting a groove in the block in the center cam journal bore. Any thoughts.



Buz Mills

Buz Mills

Dallas, TX