[Spits] Cam Bearings in 1500

[Roger Elliott]

Hi All,

It was actually the second rod.    When I bought the car from a friend, 
I had to rebuild the bottom end - the #3 and #4 rods had spun 
bearings.   (I knew the engine was bad when I bought it)

I had the oil galley enlarged at the time.

I'm not sure what caused it this time.  Here is a link to a picture of 
the bearing. ( http://www.kcallbritish.com/spitfire/rodbearing.jpg)  It 
was hammered down and over the edge of the rod.

Yeah, I suppose I am going to some extra work to keep the cam.  But I 
figured if I am having bearings added to the block, it probably would 
not be much difference in cost whichever bearing I have put in.  But a 
new cam is going to be about $200 additional that I might not have to 
spend if my cam checks out and it only has a few thousand miles on it.

I was also considering asking the machine shop if they can machine down 
the journals.  The manufacturer is out of business, so I can't go back 
to them.  So I am mainly trying to be ready for different options.


Thanks,
Roger




On 09/21/2012 07:41 PM, Joe Curry wrote:
> Yes Bill.  "Let a Professional do it"!  :)
>
> JOe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Gingerich [mailto:wrgingerich at gmail.com]
> Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 4:19 PM
> To: 'Joe Curry'; 'Roger Elliott'; 'Spitfire list'
> Subject: RE: [Spits] Cam Bearings in 1500
>
> Was it the #3 rod?
>
> I've never seen bearings for what you're talking about.  It seems like an
> awful lot of work to avoid finding a small journal cam.  Perhaps your
> existing cam can be machined down to the correct size.  But I'm with Joe on
> this one - leave the block alone.
>
> If you haven't already, seriously consider enlarging the oil galley in the
> block as per the competition prep manual.  It helps that #3 rod bearing live
> longer.
>
> I don't know if there is a trick to putting the bearings.  I was considering
> doing this when I did my 1500 several years ago, but decided to let it ride.
>
> Joe - any wisdom on installing the bearings in the block?
>
> BillG
> 74 Spit
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: spitfires-bounces at autox.team.net
> [mailto:spitfires-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Joe Curry
> Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 1:27 PM
> To: 'Roger Elliott'; 'Spitfire list'
> Subject: Re: [Spits] Cam Bearings in 1500
>
> The best way to install cam bearings in a 1500 block is to use a cam for an
> engine that was originally equipped with cam bearings.  That way you don't
> have to bore those journals.  The Mk3 for example had cam bearings which use
> the same size block borings as the 1500 but have the cam journals sized
> smaller so the bearing will fit between the block and the cam.
>
> Joe