How to Install New Cam Bearings In and LS Engine

[@cheapandeasymods]

So just found out my cam bearing are bad also now I have to change them! Thanks for the video Great Job!

[@buddyrebel_Garcia]

Quick question? When you are replacing a cam bearing on the 5.3 do you have to change the piston rings when you take them out every single time? Or can you use the same piston rings and install them once you replace the cam bearing?

[@Reddirtrodz]

Multiple answers here- Yes. You can reuse the rings, but you have them out, so if the engine has 100k or more, you might as well refresh it because you are in there. Additionally, you dont have to pull the pistons at all. You can technically do it with the crank in the block, but it's much easier with it out, but the pistons and rods can definitely stay in if you dont want to deal with removing them. Just tie the rods out of the way. All of that said, if you have the engine out and down to the short block, you might as well put new bearings and rings in. You are already there, and that stuff is easier than doung the cam bearings. Good luck!

[@buddyrebel_Garcia]

@@Reddirtrodz Thank you sir. Yes I do have the engine out and it’s just a block. I pulled the engine out because I had a spun cam bearing low oil pressure. And one of the gaskets was leaking coolant so that’s what I’m doing right now. I’m watching your video and I just uninstalled the cam bearings. I’m waiting for the bearings to arrive from AutoZone And yes, I am replacing the piston rings and I’m doing a light hone on the piston cylinder walls too!

[@Reddirtrodz]

@buddyrebel_Garcia good luck! Just be patient, gap your new rings, and remember- clean clean clean clean and then clean some more!

[@donaldvancamp6419]

Great video man! Definitely going to be following your build! What oil pump are you going to be running on it?

[@Reddirtrodz]

I am running an m295 standard pump. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@redgoatgarage]

Very informative - great job!

[@Reddirtrodz]

Thanks!

[@russrocket2883]

Thanks for video, going to try doing mine with crank and rods in, I have it on a engine stand , hopefully it will work out.

[@Reddirtrodz]

For sure! It can be done that way, but it is definitely more difficult to get the old bearings out and the new bearings in with the crank and rods in the way. Depends on the engine you are working on, but it can be done.

[@russrocket2883]

It's an ls i picked up cheap for low oil pressure. Changed pump out and no help, then I went looking a little more in block and found the #3 bearing has migrated out the front about 1/4 inch.

[@Reddirtrodz]

@Russ Rocket it can be done. What year LS? If it is a Gen IV, you shoukd use the 3rd design bearings

[@russrocket2883]

I believe it's a 3, did not know about the new designs yet. Just started researching for bearing change.

[@russrocket2883]

Where do I look for information on these new design bearings, do they have them available for the 3rd gen?

[@michaelthompson4957]

Having a thought about that second hole, why not have it on the down low side as it will hold oil for start up?

[@Reddirtrodz]

Never really thought about it to be honest!

[@blazem2400]

So I had an incident with my Pontiac bonnivle where the bearing slipped out and is crunching inside …. Car still runs aside from that crazy crunch sound found a piece of the bearing in the oil pan which lead me to the piece of bearing with a code on it .. My question is would I be good just changing the bearings or ? 😅 15:46

[@blazem2400]

Also my main question is “do I still have some hope in my classic 😢?”

[@Reddirtrodz]

@blazem2400 definitely do not run that engine until you fix it. Will probably require a shortblock teardown at the minimum. If it sent shrapnel through the oiling system, it will kill all the other bearings. You may be able to just replace the bearings, but you need to do a thorough check.

[@blazem2400]

@@Reddirtrodz yea it’s just been sitting I think the culprit was because I was having low oil pressure issues changed the hoses and was trying to thicken the oil with synthetic additives….im planning replacing all bearings but of course GM had there engines upside down in 1993

[@blazem2400]

@@Reddirtrodz I humbly appreciate the input 🙏🏽

[@paulpassineau5941]

Im looking at pulling my 2008 6.2L vortec motor out this week to do cam bearings due to low oil pressure. While its out if i do crank and rod bearings, do i have to machine? Motor runs great. Has 170k on it. Also if i do new rings can i just hone as long as ring gaps are good? Thank you

[@Reddirtrodz]

It all depends on the condition. If there are any scars, scratches, etc then you need machine work. 170k is middle of the road for an LS, many times you can get away with a good hone and file-fit each ring to each cylinder, keeping them in order. Check the clearances of the bearings and you will know pretty quickly whether or not you need machine work. If money is not a big factor, a machine shop trip is advisable, but I see 150k+ LS engines with basic "rings and bearings" rebuild that beat on all the time. That is exactly what I did on this one, so just have a good look at the old bearings and hard parts. Plastigauge is your friend if you don't have the right tools.

[@hydrostreamcrazy]

Ok thanks. Yeah its a smooth runner and not burning oil. I just figured id do as much as a could while im in there. Money is tight so building the best i can on a budget.

[@Reddirtrodz]

@hydrostreamcrazy we did a Summit rebuild on the bottom end, with new pistons, but you don't have to replace the pistons at all. Just clean it really well before you put the cam bearings in and dont forget all the little oil plugs.

[@hydrostreamcrazy]

Would you do valve springs, retainers, pushrods, valve seals right away? Not sure how many miles or if stuff goes in the heads often.

[@Reddirtrodz]

@@hydrostreamcrazy It depends on your overall goals. Seals are an easy repplacement that will come with a rebuild gasket kit. The actual parts like springs, pushrods and retainers are fine to reuse if you are staying a cam that does not require heavier springs or different pushrods.

[@Powerhouseperformance-96]

Great video just ordered me one of the tools

[@Reddirtrodz]

Just be patient and makesure you use the right mandrel.

[@ToddSalisbury]

Quick question, do you just basically center the bearing because there’s no stop plate on either side, thank you in advance

[@Reddirtrodz]

Yes, the oil hole is your guide.

[@ToddSalisbury]

Really appreciate that, within the week I’ll be doing cam bearings in a 6.0

[@Reddirtrodz]

@ToddSalisbury just be patient and following the instructions for the tool you have and make sure your oil passages are lined up.

[@ToddSalisbury]

Yes sir!!

[@joeyrangel228]

Could it be done without removing the crank pistons?

[@Reddirtrodz]

No, you have to pull the crank to get to the cam journals to put the bearings on the tool, can't slide them in from the front/rear. You dont have to pull the pistons though.

[@chrisherrmann9627]

I like that when everyone has the same vehicle, there nay needs to be one extra driveshaft

[@JiovanniEsparza-c2n]

What part # is that

[@Reddirtrodz]

@@JiovanniEsparza-c2n for what specifically?

[@MotorZonaca]

😎👍

[@Willy-y1j]

Rubber mallett on cam bearing tool.....Cmon man

[@Reddirtrodz]

@@Willy-y1j I prefer a dead blow hammer so I have better control, it's really easy to damage a bearing during this process, but by using dead blow or rubber mallet, you can find problems before they damage bearings. There is no need to use a big sledge or heavy ball peen, a mallet gets the job done and you have more feel for alignment issues.

[@victoravila2698]

Thanks

[@micahelmendez6448]

It means that there ready for the scrap yard

[@bradj.3832]

Just take the block off the stand for the front 2 bearings , why risk screwing it up " if your careful" is bad advice.

[@Reddirtrodz]

Not all engines can be done that way. In fact, the Gen V LT-Series can't be done that way at all, because you cant fit the tool in the block and get the bearing into the channel at the same time, and when you get rhe bearing installed, you can't take the tool out. Gen III HEMI engines require the front bearing to go in this way as well, and that bearing is like 3 inches long. With chamfered bearings, there is little chance of screwing it up if you are careful. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@SOLDOZER]

Those bearings would do another 100K miles.

[@Reddirtrodz]

Lolol, zero good reason to reuse those.

[@javiertrujillo1916]

If they are showing copper doesn’t mean they are bad 😂

[@Reddirtrodz]

There is no risk in replacing them, and the tops were dimpled. You can't fully clean an LS or LT without removing the cam bearings, and I will not run bearings showing copper. It's far better to replace for $30 than to take a risk.

[@javiertrujillo1916]

@@Reddirtrodz they are line hone from factory even low mileage have copper showing and will run for many thousand of miles I didn’t say it was a expensive cost to replace them all I’m saying is if they show copper doesn’t mean they are bad

[@Reddirtrodz]

@@javiertrujillo1916 these bearings were shot. There is zero good reason to keep bearings showing copper. I am aware of the GM process. I always replace cam bearings.

[@OnTheWorldWideWeb1]

Not one person has liked your comment. Take a minute and let that sink in