Another cam thread.

[corsair231]

I wonder if a cam's grooved front journal can contribute to accelerated front cam bearing wear? I am replacing my cam from wiping a cam lobe after about 3 months of use. I know that has had an effect on the bearing surface finish but the cam had already started to wear a groove pattern in the bearing. The last one was the same way also. I always had good oil pressure so I don't think it was an oiling issue. The factory bearings were not worn like that but the factory cam was a solid journal. I know the groove is for improved oiling but if you decrease the size of the load bearing surface but not the load itself then pressure on the remaining surface area increases. Could this increase on a cam bearing be enough to overcome the cushion of oil and allow accelerated wear?
My car has a stock replacement timing set so there should not be any increased load on the cam nose. Anybody make a non grooved cam? Just fishing for ideas on why.

 

[Jerryl]

................ My car has a stock replacement timing set so there should not be any increased load on the cam nose. Anybody make a non grooved cam? Just fishing for ideas on why.

You are correct ..... Any timing set should not accelerate or contribute to wear. The HV pump and spring pressures will.

Try a search on "cam journal groove"
Lots of info. Here is a thread with an idea.
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95791

 

[corsair231]

Thanks for the reply and the link. It seems like I'm not the only one who noticed this problem. That thread was almost three years ago. Any reports on if those fixes worked long term? Is it posssible that cam nose movement from the lack of journal support may cause enough of an oiling problem or just enough movement to cause lifter/lobe failure? Anyone with wiped lobes after this procedure? I would hate to almost double the price of my cam by having this done just to wipe another lobe in less than 4 months. Anybody near Charlotte, NC that can weld the cam right?