How tight with the camshaft?

[counterman]

In doing my mock up, I noticed that the camshaft will turn by hand in the new camshaft bearings, but with some effort. I tried both the original cam and the new Edelbrock unit in the block, and both have some drag. Of course, the new unused cam is a little tighter. How tight is too tight? Thanks, Counterman.

 

[Alky V6]

It should turn freely. I think .002" clearance is the spec. Problem could be bearings installed incorrectly (crooked, raised metal from install), incorrect bearing wall thickness or journal bores out of alignment.

 

[SWOOOSH]

i would think you should be able to spin it with your fingers if its rite.

 

[Lee Thompson]

TOO tight

It MUST turn with 0 drag---More importantly check it once the main caps and heads have been torqued down. Twice I have had one of the 2 center cam bearings to spin once the eng. began to build heat. There is not as much material surrounding the 2 center bearings as the 2 end ones. Torquing the heads and main --you are pulling in 3 different directions and it CAN oblong the cam bore making the cam journal TIGHT.

 

[EightSecV6]

If you can turn it by hand without much effort, it is ok. Generally speaking, 9 out of 10 times a cam is hard to turn, it is bent. Brand new cams come out of the box like this sometimes. Most competent machinists can straighten it on a v-block with a press.