Neat idea Mike. One question I'm not following
though. I understand how the plug expands to grip the
bearing and I undestand how you can drive the front
bearings backward and out. How would you get out the
rear bearing? Drive it and the plug out the back of
the block?
Kerryp
--- mike sutton <mikanlin62@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Can I really replace my cam bearings in my car? Yes
> it CAN be done! There
> is actually a use for those ( IMHO ) worthless
> rubber core plugs that you
> buy to get you home if you lose a core plug and
> youre desperate. These
> plugs are generally in nominal sizes and have a fair
> amount of expansion
> range when you tighten the little nut in the center
> of them.
>
> Several times, we have used these plugs to remove
> and replace cam bearings
> when there was no option of removing the entire
> engine...you need a suitable
> size plug which is the easy part, and a driver to
> mate with the plug so you
> have a suitable surface to pound against. We have
> found that a piece of
> steel rod , preferably hollow so that it will fit
> over the plug expansion
> nut , will make a very suitable tool . The
> installation is just as easy,
> the trick here is to use an indelible marker and
> make matching marks on the
> block before you start to ensure the oil holes - if
> applicable - are indexed
> with the holes in the block.
>
> Why you may be asking, did we go to all this
> trouble.....ever see the inside
> of a detroit diesel or a cummins inline? It is
> sometimes easier to remove a
> radiator and stack up a few lengths of steel rod
> than remove a 2 ton engine
> block ! This same trick works well on passenger
> cars too....the radiator is
> usually in the way, and sometimes you have to tilt
> the block a bit to get a
> straight shot at everything. Thankfully a big block
> mopar has a very open
> valley and room to get fingers and such in there to
> work after the intake is
> removed. The caveat here is, the pan is removed
> and youre doing some kind
> of repair or overhaul. Im sure you could do this
> with the pan on.....better
> hope you dont drop one!
>
> Of course, since most engines have cam bearings
> diameters that change from
> bearing to bearing, you have to do the installation
> with the smallest one
> first and so on and so on....and obviously, you do
> this AFTER you hone
> anything unless you have a grit fetish and want to
> watch your efforts go to
> waste in a hurry. Remember...it can never be too
> clean.
>
> Just one mechanics experience with these things..
>
> Take care all
>
> Mikey
> 62 Crown Coupe
>
>
>
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