reaming new 45 cam bushings

[Pete Engelman]

I just did the cam, pinion bushings in my 66 FL engine and used pilots on the engine case side and bottom reamers to line ream the pinion and cam bushings. This 45 poses a problem with the bushing being in the engine side and as well the cam cover. Is there a jig out there that is used to align ream the cam bushings in the engine side. I am having difficulty with this part of this project. I thought I could burnish the cam into the bushing then dress it with the reamer but am not sure. Any help will be appreciated
Thanks
Pete:::::::::::::;;;;;;;;;;

[kitabel]

Is there a jig out there
The engine and cover

[T. Cotten]

Most modern bushings are too close to size to ream, Pete!

And any puckers from doweling just make the reamer bias to the other side.

Using a triangular bushing scraper will soon be a lost art: ink everything, trial the journal, and then relieve the high spots.

LEVIT3.jpg

The best ones levitate.

...Cotten

[kitabel]

Jerry Branch explained to Gordon Jennings 56 years ago that the locations of the inner cam bearings were not always accurate, not all cam covers can be replaced without alignment problems, etc. They were concerned with the actual cam lobe clocking due to different tooth engagement, and cut the lobes free of the gears to re-position them (Cycle World interview, June 1965). Beauty of Speed has the entire interview.

[T. Cotten]

Is there a jig out there
The engine and cover

I made a cam bushing reamer with a cover, Kitabel!

But its for an OHV....

CAMREAM.jpg

....Cotten

[Pete Engelman]

I like the idea of inking the journal. I have some prussian blue that may work and as mentioned give a little rub with a file where needed afterward. I like the jig Cotten but I have no access to a 45 gearcase cover that I can cut holes in.
Thanks again
Pete:::::::::::::;;;;;;;;;;;;

[kitabel]

It's not done with the engine and "a" cam cover, it needs the cam cover for alignment.

[T. Cotten]

I found such variance in Chiefs, Folks,...

That I often had to cut and install bushings with undersized bores, and then have a millmeister bore them all on his Bridgeport, using coordinates averaged from several sets. The results were exquisite.

But HDs were amazingly consistent. So unless there has been welding or a spun bushing, or some other worm in the can, fresh bushings usually go in pretty straight. And the journals might even only be a little sticky. Its when you dowel that things can pucker on you.

cmbush1.jpg

Its still easiest to put on magnifiers, get new scraper out of the bag, and 'cross-hatch' the high spots, and trial again and again, and repeat. The high spots get wider each time, until the journal turns freely.

CMBUSH2.jpg

An Adalox or silicon carbide tube brush smooths the finish when you get close, to where you can read where the journal burnishes its finish.

CMBUSH3.jpg

Trials with case and cover should be tried initially to determine if there are alignment issues, of course,

Takes forever, but the results are quite satisfying.

....Cotten

[Pete Engelman]

Thanks Cotten
I watched Tatro on utube quite often and he burnished a journal into a bushing. I have a silicon carbite brush that I may have to use. I am second guessing taking on this job. The engine was in boxes for 30 years and the guy asked me to assemble it but there were a few things I did not consider such as the cam bushings or sprocket race replacement. I'm a shovel guy.
Thanks
Pete::::::::::::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;