I've got a numbers matching 67 RS with a 327. I decided to remove/store the original motor and build a hot-rod 383 stroker for the car.

I started with a prep'd/machined block (880 casting) off eBay. It came with cam bearings installed. I'm doing pre-assembly checks now.

The front 4 cam bearings all have a single oil hole that is aligned with the oil passage hole in the block. These all line up at the 6 o'clock position. However, the rear cam bearing hole doesn't seem to be aligned with an oil hole in the block because a paper-clip wire passed through the bearing hole doesn't protrude into the block (whereas the other 4 allow the wire in at least a half inch). The rear cam plug cam installed so I can't get a good look at the rear cam bearing.

Is this expected? I've read in various places that maybe the rear cam bearing oil hole is over a channel of some kind and doesn't need to be aligned to a single hole in the block.

I want to verify everything is OK with this bearing before I go to final assembly and possibly burn up a cam bearing.

Thanks for any info/advice,

Mitch

 

For your own peace of mind, you might want to talk to a knowledgable machine shop for a second opinion.
The block's cam housing has a groove, so the oil holes don't need to line up with each other for the cam to get oil. However, for best oiling, the two o'clock position, not the 6, is the best way to line up all the bearing oil holes. And if your front bearing has two holes, give a position of 10 and 2 on that one. Here's the reasoning behind the positioning. From the down-force of the valvetrain, the cam is under more load at the 6 o'clock position (pushed from the top, see drawing), not the best spot to try and have oil come out the bearing's oil hole. At the 2 o'clock position, the cam gets oiled where it has more clearance (off load) and will have an oil film to push as it approaches the load at 6 o'clock.

 

Yea, I've tried to contact the eBay retailer I bought this block from to ask these questions, but they are mysteriously silent.

I think I'll take your advice and hit up my local machine shop. I don't have the cam bearing tool to pound these out or replace them so makes sense to just take the block in to them and have them look. Shoot.

Thanks for the advice!

Mitch

 

When it comes to important engine internals....better safe than scarry.