350 cam bearing interchange?

Any common engines that use the same bearings the 350 does?
Not a single store in the entire midwest has any cam bearings of any brand in stock.

Every single store also told me they wouldn't be able to get them in until next year.
I blame chevrolet. Everything is chevy this, chevy that, build an LS, build a BBC.

You're if you don't own a chevy parts wise. Mopar, Ford, BOP, all pale in comparison. It's BS.


Any help is appreciated as always.

 

Durabond online or T/A?

https://www.dura-bondbearing.com/parts-search/

 

To make it short, I'm trying to jam this thing together over the holidays while I have time. I don't have time to wait for TA (who undoubtedly will be closed over the holidays) and durabond's stupid confusing website doesn't list anything for a Buick 350, and for some reason thinks buicks in 1970 did not exist. It's all either GM inline 6, or 455.

 

OK, How about eBay? They have lots, but I didn't know 350, 400 and 455 all used the same cam bearings?

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...1313&_nkw=buick+350+cam+bearings&_sacat=33619

 

I bought a set at Autozone a couple years ago.

 

How long did you wait before looking to order cam bearings?

If you have been in this engine for more than a week or two, you had time. If you waited until the last minute to source parts on an engine that has not been in production for 40 years, and not a "popular" engine, bitching about the only few sources available not being "Johnny on the Spot" for your needs during a big holiday is sort of selfish.

 

If you need I can send some priority express?

 

I was planning on reusing the stock ones. Rear one was split. So they gotta come out. I bought a TA front bearing way back when I got the engine, but the stock one is actually in really good shape. Still gonna swap it. I haven't had the time or the weather to put this thing together until the past few days. It's Iowa, and it's 55* right now.

I ended up ordering them from summit. Rock auto wanted 89 dollars to ship them before christmas. Summit only wanted $20. Summit it is.

 

These Sealed Power bearings are interesting, wonder if they ARE Buick cam bearings or just a pic of cam bearings

 

I've bought them before, they use a stock pic. they're buick bearings. but that was some years ago.

 

Yeah, just got them in. They look like normal Buick bearings. Wish they weren't lazy and would actually update images, but what can ya do.

 

Please let me know how it goes, I'm planning to do just the front bearing on my 350 and this will be the first time messing with cam bearings. I have a tool but am still scared of installing it wrong since hearing so many stories of trained mechanics at machine shops messing it up! Planning to go TA dual grooved.

 

It's not the bearing. It's the straightness of the install.

 

Is it also the orientation of the oiling holes that gets messed up? Any tips for making sure the bearing goes in straight?

 

Go slow
If it aint going in straight, stop. It will not self center. Oil holes at 7 and 3 o clock. Mark the block with a sharpie if need be. The front (and rear) bearings need to be inset a little bit. The middle 3 are essentially flush mounted.

 

I'm a mature adult so I'll refrain from making any dirty jokes

But seriously, I appreciate the advice! You going to take pics of your cam bearing install process?

 

I took a few. I actually ended up using a rubber freeze plug to install them because I was too cheap/pressed for time to buy a tool. Shaved it down to the OD of the bearing so it will slip through the block.
Worked OK. If I had time or money to get the proper tool or have a shop do it I would've.

 

The tool I have is very long and I think is more useful for doing the middle bearings? I haven't tried to mess with it yet. But I'm not sure exactly how to orient it to do just the front. I'll probably post questions with pictures when the time comes!

 

Did the front one have 2 slots instead of holes like the Durabond ones on the 215, 300 and 340? I install those 7-9 o clock and 1-3 o clock as Phil Baker showed me about 40 years ago.

 

See above quote & pic.
The cam bearing fits a bit loosely on the steel flanged guide support, so after the bearing gets shrunk and pulled into place, it will slide off bearing. Then it's as straight as it can be.