Failed cam bearing is it savable
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,727
Likes: 3,072
From: Brighton, MI
I'm trying to get my head around how that happened to blow out like that???
Would be interested in seeing lifters, cam, etc
Looks like something embedded into the aluminum at the lower left, to the left of the free bearing needle sitting all by itself? To me it looks like a piece of the bearing case??? (just guessing) Not sure what I am seeing but I see somethin.
Would be interested in seeing lifters, cam, etc
Looks like something embedded into the aluminum at the lower left, to the left of the free bearing needle sitting all by itself? To me it looks like a piece of the bearing case??? (just guessing) Not sure what I am seeing but I see somethin.
Last edited by Yankee Dog; Mar 10, 2022 at 08:31 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 441
From: Tejas
Was going to do the SE heads/cam swap/etc., but I have a stock(ish) 80 in my 98 RK I might do instead when it's needed. I have all the parts, so no biggie.
Griz
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 8,537
From: Bates County MO
When the rollers come out in an EVO engine, (either from the cam or lifter bearings) they tend to drop down to the pick up tube that returns oil to the pump. The rollers then get between the gears in the pump, grind the small pieces and pass them through the system, and eventually get a piece big enough to lock up the pump, and then shear one or more keys. There's the key on the pinion shaft drive gear, the key on the oil pump drive gear, the key on the return side gear, and the key on the feed side gear. Because of all the swarf that floats through the system when this happens, the proper repair is to remove & clean the oil pan, replace the oil lines (and cooler if equipped), remove the engine, split the cases, clean/inspect/repair any damage, and replace every bearing & the lifters. Replace any out of spec/worn components & rebuild. Not cheap, but peace of mind rarely is...
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 47
Likes: 4
From: CT
93' ultra classic lost oil pressure. the shop said it was the cam bearing that failed and the needles siezed the oil pump. they said that they could only find 23 of the 29 needles. my question is how possible is it to recover the rest of the bearings. I'm assuming they must be in the crank case.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
At this point, do what rigidthumper, myslef, and other folks are advising; split the cases and triage it from there. Take your time, since it's your second bike.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 516
Likes: 119
From: Athens Ohio
I have an oem caged bearing at home, i will report back this eve. Came from my '98 RK, looked fine but i swapped it with a cam install.
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
From: Alvin TX
No, no. The evidence points to it being a Torrington full compliment cam bearing with 29 rollers. Until someone has an Evo INA bearing in hand and does the count like I did, I would not trust it. Bearing has to be for an Evo engine, because the cam bearings for T/Cs are different. They have slight higher roller count.
At this point, do what rigidthumper, myslef, and other folks are advising; split the cases and triage it from there. Take your time, since it's your second bike.
At this point, do what rigidthumper, myslef, and other folks are advising; split the cases and triage it from there. Take your time, since it's your second bike.
