I was installing a set of 455 cam bearings the other day, and managed to get the #5 bearing started pretty crooked. It straightened out eventually, but the cam didn't feel right at all. Very jerky and bindy... I was about ready to start trying to clearance the #5 bearing, when I wondered "What if it isn't #5?? If only there was a way to only check one journal at a time... " Couple seconds on the death wheel, and viola, Single Journal Cam Bearing Fit Checker! (TM) As it turned out, #5 was fine. #4 was super sticky and gross- upon closer inspection I hadn't quite centered the bearing in the bore. Once I got it placed properly, the cam whirls freely. Success! I have "materials" to make exactly 4 more of these bad boys, if anyone is interested.
On pontiacs the cam tunnels are rarely straight so what we did was take an old cam we knew was straight and cut slots in the cam journals then after the bearings are installed if the cam fits too tight we stick in our cam tool and rotate it 2-3 turns and it clearances the bearings a bit, works very well and never have had a problem doing this. Fwiw
