Doing a 5.0 rebuild (roller motor), I installed lifters and dog bones then went to install the 'spider' hold down bracket. When I tighten down the two spider hold down bolts, the engine will not turn over by hand. Back them off a little and it rolls over (heads are on). These holes look 'blind' to me. I put bolts in by themselves without the spider, same thing happens.

The bolts do bottom out before the spider is seated all the way down. Does anything go under the spider? This thing was so nasty when I pulled it down but I don't recall anything under the spider. I've got a 302 manual but of course it doesnt reference roller rockers......

How could a bolt bottoming in what appears to be a blind hole keep the engine from turning over? Does anything go under the spider or do I have the wrong bolts in it (too long)?

Help!

 

I bet you really know the answer to the question "Does anything go under the spider or do I have the wrong bolts in it (too long)?"

Well, the camshaft.

Use shorter bolts. A good bolt length would be one that allows complete rotation when the bolt heads are bottomed out on the casting without the spider in place, then the added thickness of the spider would insure there's always adequate clearance.

 

Yeah... your bolts are too long. The really bad news is you may have damaged the cam bearings that are directly below these bolts holes.

 

Crap, the cam bearings are what I'm seeing at the bottom of the 'blind hole'. What an idiot I am, I looked in the holes to make sure that they were 'blind' since I knew the cam was right there but I was looking at the top of the cam bearing. Makes perfect sense.... Any suggestions on checking the cam bearing without pulling the cam back out? Maybe, pull cam gear and chain and insure cam rotates freely by hand? Should I be ok then?

 

I called the guy that did my block work, including installing cam bearings. He believes I will be ok, rotating assy rolls around as easily as it did before. Man, I am an idiot! Just something else to think about......

 

Sounds like it will be OK..Im sure all of us on here could tell some good storys of some of the stupid stuff we have done...Good luck..Lew

 

Thanks Lew, I think I've told you before but love your truck!