Wow! I get to be first a something. My spare motor is at the machine shop and I would like to know if it would be worth it to get a set of TA's grooved cam bearings. I already have a set I got from Kenne-Bell years ago. I have not seen much about 350 oiling systems and was wondering if they have the same problems as the 455. I've been racing mine since 87 with no problems. Also I have a C-118 cam & kit from K-B laying around I never used. Has anybody used one in thier 350. Thanks for any replies.
The 350 doesn't seem to be as hard on cam bearings as the 400-455,but the backgrooved TA bearings are certain to be a step up from the non-grooved type KB sold.As far as the KB118 cam in a 350,I've heard its a good grind for a 350.
The front cam bearing is most important, I would put the backgrooved bearing there. Oil modifications to block on earlier blocks. Measure sump pickup passage, if it’s not atleast 1/2 inch then open it up , round off 90 degree turns with carbide bit . Use a booster plate. use a 77-80 5/8 pick tube, change oil pressure relief spring for higher upper rpm oil pressure. The 118 is decent, I ran one. Need a 3000 convertor minimum and 9.7 or better compression. Aggressive timing, big valves will help. The stock 10 to 1 compression pistons only net 9.2 without block decking or head shaving.
http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=9932 $16.00 Drill and tap to 1/8 NPT (I used an 11/32 bit) I also drilled a 1/32 hole on the far left of the front (passenger side) oil gallery plug. (this was the tapped/threaded shallow TA Performance plug mentioned in Jim Weise's oil mods) to oil the timing gear set. Everything you can do to enhance oiling, strength and such on a build is time and money well spent. Never understood people spending thousands of dollars and untold hours on a build and then pass on low dollar, and low time to add some insurance. Sometimes the little thing is the big thing. (430 build, but many of the things that are good for the BBB will benefit the SBB as well)
I would install all the grooved cam bearings, yes #1 is the most critical, but the other 4 backgrooved bearings will oil the cam journals properly, starting at the 3-4 o'clock position, which is right before the highly loaded area of the bearing. The stock bearings introduce oil at the 9 o'clock position, then follows the rotation of the cam, hemmorages out at noon position where theres the most clearance, and you have a dribble left to oil from 3 to 9 o'clock.
