MGB & GT Forum

What is the best way to remove and install cam bearings whit out special tools?

Take the block to a machine shop. They'll have the special tools.

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Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

I'm all for DIY, and have the tool to do cam bearings, but if this is a one time thing have a machine shop do it. Make sure they line the oil holes up, and use Durabond bearings.

Also, give the machine shop a camshaft so they can make sure it goes in and rotates freely.

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Friends talking around a fire is the history of mankind.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-02-11 09:27 PM by Rod H..

Are you changing just to change? There is a lot of bearing there & the cam bearing hold up real well, till someone hot tanks the block. Very seldom we change the cam bearings.

x2

The ones in my engine have just short of ~350k miles on them although I agree that's exceptional.

Get a couple pieces of 1/4" steel or aluminum that's a little bigger than the cam bearing and drill a hole in the middle of them. Then get two large sockets - one the same diameter as the cam bearing and one larger. And get a long bolt that fits through the hole and 2 large washers that just fit the bolt. To remove, put the back side of the smaller socket against the edge of the bearing. Put one piece of metal over the open end of that socket and a washer over that and insert the long bolt through the holes and out the other side of the cam bearing. Then place the bigger socket with the open side facing the cam bearing around the other side of the cam bearing and back that with a piece of metal and a washer. Now, put the nut on the bolt and tighten it. Put a wrench or a socket on the bolt and turn it until the smaller socket presses the bearing unto the larger socket. To install, reverse the process starting with the large socket against the edge of the hole in the block and the bearing up against the back of a socket that's also larger than the bearing. Turn the nut until the bolt compresses the mechanism and pulls the bearing into the hole. Alignment of the oil hole in the bearing is imperative so measure and mark carefully. Voila! A homemade tool to do it yourself. Best of luck. Basil 707.762.0974 basiladams@yahoo.com

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Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

X2 Glen&Ernie. Theoretical vs Practical knowledge. If a part is not worn,broken and does not have a problematic history why change it.

Cam bearing replacement is not a DIY project; it should only be done with special tools. Cam bearings do wear and can contribute to lower oil pressure. I wouldn't consider rebuilding an engine without replacing the cam bearings; false economy.

Also, do note that the rear cam bearing has three holes for oiling, but only two of them are used. It is important to advise your machinist of this if he is not familiar with our engines, as incorrect installation can cause lack of lubrication.

Trying to do it yourself almost guarantees that you'll damage one or more bearings in the process...

Use only the Dura-Bond or similar full-round bearings, not the split-type...

Dick

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Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

Not possible, it is tricky even with the correct removal/installation tools.
- The cam bearing shells have an interference fit to the block and require substantial force to remove and install.
- The cam bearing shells must be perfectly aligned front-to-rear, otherwise the camshaft will not even go in or rotate.
- Each bearing has oil feed holes that must be aligned to the correct block oil feed holes, otherwise the oil system will not work properly.
I use a Dura-Bond cam bearing driver set, and made a custom set of driver mandrels for the MGA/MGB.

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Be safe out there.
Kenny

I got the 3 head studs out. My friend had a stud remover and I got a propane torch. My cam bearings aren't worn but they have scratches in them is that ok?

If you are doing an engine overhaul, which is what it sounds like, you should definitely have new cam bearings installed, especially if they are compromised in any way. You're only looking at 35-40 bucks for good bearings, and perhaps that much or a bit more to have a capable machinist install them. I can't imagine being that far into an engine and not replacing them...

Dick

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Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

Always renew the cam bearings, even if for no other reason (and there are many), there is dirt/debris trapped behind them that cannot be washed out.

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Be safe out there.
Kenny

Ernie - I've been meaning to ask - by any chance, is your garage shaped like a pyramid?!

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Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

Also, I don't know how you will be cleaning the block, but if you are hot tanking it the cam bearings will need to be removed.

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Friends talking around a fire is the history of mankind.

Didn't know you were a Pyramidiot Dick Terry

I wish I knew the reasons for my engine's longevity but it's as much a mystery to me as anyone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-02-13 11:04 AM by ErnieY.