How easily should the cam turn with no chain on it. Installing it today it fell in until i got to the back bearing. It went half way into the bearing then it got very tight. I put the gear on it and i could turn it but not easily. I persuaded the cam into the bearing with a rubber mallet while turning it. I didnt pound on it hard, but firmly. It dosent spin easily as in with my hand, but its not difficult with a ratchet on the cam gear bolt. I installed the chain and crank gear, I can turn the motor relativly easy from the crank bolt with a 18" breaker bar. No lifters or heads as of yet.

Thanks

Steve

 

It should slip in there easily with no hammering.

 

it may be cocked slightly, not square to cam surface. it could wear a groove into the cam, or its just wrong size bearing

 

That end bearing may have been damaged during installation. I like to replace mine myself and not rely on the machine shop to do it. With the proper tool its easy to do but not uncommon to damage a bearing if you dont take your time.

 

With a fresh cam and its bearings installed all by itself it should spin freely with zero drag. The only friction would be from the lube which aint much if you get my point. Same deal goes for a properly installed crank.

 

IMO your machine shop needs to do a "freebie" fix & replace that rear bearging again. Should be no resistance what so ever.

 

How do you know it is the rear bearing? I was thinking they got smaller at each bearing? If so could it be another bearing?

 

Excellent point! I was waiting for someone to mention that.
Once it gets installed to the rear bearing then all cam journals are now lined up with the corresponding bearing. It may not be the rear, it could be almost any one of them. Take flashlight and mirror and she where it's rubbing. It'll be very apparent. From there yes it could have been cocked going in, that'll squeeze it beyond being able to rebound.

 

Ok thanks good points, as the bearings are different diameter. The cam went very easy into the block until i got to the last bearing, thats when it got tight so i assumed it was the last bearing. Perhaps a wrong a$$ umption on my part. I can turn it but its difficult free hand. I called the machine shop, he said he didnt like it either to bring it to him he would take care of it. This guy is the nicest machine shop owner i have ever delt with and its been the most pleasureable machine shop experience i ever had. With my schedule it will be almost 2 weeks before i can take it to him in Houston.
Thanks for the info guys
Steve

 

Learn something new every day. I thought they were all the same size. Interesting.