Ok then,been waiting to tear into my 83 /6 looking for oil pressure problem for almost a year.All I've found is #2 cam bearing has moved towards the front until it was rubbing against the cam lobe,and spun also I'll assume.Now,WDF happened here? Everything else looks good as far as the old eyeballs can tell.Motor was a rebuilt with maybe 8 thou on her when the oil pressure dropped.I installed a comp cam with the head off before install so I know the bearing was not like this from the get go.What can I do so this doesn't happen again?,and was this the culpert in my low oil pressure? As always Thanks in advance.

_________________
83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed

One thing you can do the next time to keep things in 'check' is to install a cam button in your timing cover... that will keep the cam from walking back and forth (even the slightest movement is not good)...


Good Luck,

-D.Idiot

Where does one obtain a 'cam button'?

Yup was planning on a cam button anyway but still cann't figure why it spun and slipped forward.Heck every slant out there would have a spun cam bearing from the factory if a button was the cure,right? Alls I know is the old girl is getting green locktight on the new bearings Any input on if this is the low oil pressure coz? Anyone? Thanks

_________________
83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed

If the cam bearing moved enough to uncover the oil feed hole, then yes, that would cause a major drop in oil pressure.
DD

Thanks Doc,that's what I figured but I'm still a bit of a virgin on slants so words from the "wise" are a good thing.Thanks all

_________________
83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed

You should also be able to stake the sides of the bearing to help hold it in.
A few spots with a small pointed punch into the cast metal of the block right at the edge of the new bearing would do it.


It could even be possible to put little dimples in the surface with a small punch that the bearing locks into. You would need to be real carefull doing something like that becuase you dont want it to get where you cant put the bearing in, then the inside diameter of the bearing would have to be check and maybe even honed. This would be a last resort to save a block that the bearing hole was a little big in.

Measure the inside hole in the block that holds the bearings to make sure there is no problems and measure the out side of the new bearings to make sure they dont give you a thin one.


It could also have been caused from a cam that has runout around the piont of that bearing. Take V blocks ( or make some with 2 X 4's) and set the cam in it then rotate it with a dail indicator on the cam bearing journals to check for runout. I dont know how much would be to much and chances are it could have just a little, but to much could help cause this. One half a thou to one & a half of thousands ( .0005 to .0015)runout should be OK but any more would be pushing it.


Also if the cam was to tight in the cam bearings that could cause it but I would think that would happen very quick if it was the problem.



Although the cam bearing turning could be the cause of the low oil pressure dont take as being the whole problem. Check your oil pump, main & rod bearing clearances to be sure. They should be checked anyway ofter loosing oil pressure.



Jess

Bent cams is often than you think. Found this in my caravan's 2.2L and another junkyard engine (2.5L for future build up). I had to search the yard for third cam that's not so bent.

There IS many places where cams can be restraightened.

Cheers, Wizard

hello,
generally you make one from an old rocker arm adjuster.
see here
and here
pics courtesy of Doctor Dodge (I think?)

regards,Rod