My '69 F-250 Highboy FE 360 V8 has had a slight engine lifter tick since I bought it last year. I bought a new Edelbrock cam and lifters from Summit Racing and decided to take care of the issue before any further engine damage occurs. After taking it all apart, I found a few issues. I saw that a majority of my lifters were concave shaped instead of convex. After yanking out the cam, I found the concave lifters were only riding on a very small amount of the cam, which was pretty damaged, and most likely the source of the problem. However, I did stumble upon another issue. It appears my camshaft bearings are trashed. My question is whether the e​​​ngine needs to come out as well as the heads, pistons and crank to get access to the cam bearings? I have a hard time seeing how this would be done with the engine in the car. This gives me an opportunity to go through the engine and possible stroke it out to a 390. Let me know what you think!


I have never seen wear like this on a bearing .. It appears there are chunks missing of the bearing!

Brown spots are where the lifter wasn't even contacting the camshaft!!

 

I think to do the best job, you'll have to pull the engine. But if you can't do that, I would pull the front clip off and then have easier access to the engine. But if you have to pull the pistons and crank bearings, it's not going to be easy under that truck- I don't care how skinny a persons is!

 

That type of cam wear is not unusual on a high mileage engine. The cam bearings are just old and tired too. I would suggest that the lubrication in the engine has been substandard for years, maybe fuel contaminated. I'd definitely make sure the carb isn't flooding and make sure the crankcase ventilation system is functioning properly.

 

Yeah I figured I would have to pull the engine out to do it properly. I'm thinking about a thumper cam and aluminum heads. I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't just swap in a new cam and lifters and be done but I guess this gives me the opportunity to improve what I have. All it takes is money!

 

You’ll for sure have to remove the engine to align the cam bearings properly when reinstalling. There’s a centering cone on the install tool, so when you install the front bearing, the tool goes in from the rear and the cone sits in the rear bearing hole. Flip it for the front bearing. Also, I’m not sure if you’d be able to drop the cake bearings out between the pistons and rods while they’re installed but I could be wrong.

Summit racing has a ~$99 dollar cam bearing install tool that Ive had good luck with. If you’re having the engine rebuilt by a shop, just have them install the bearings because at that point it’s a wash. Probably $30-$40 for a machine shop to install them.

 

Ever since there is no zink in the majority of the engine lubricants this is a common problem. With roller cams it is not needed.
Pulling the engine will be the best thing so it can be rebuilt. Just be sure to always add the zink additive whenever the oil is changed or you will be looking at another worn cam. The cam manufacturer will supply a cam break in lubricant, be sure to use it!
Good luck

 

Pulled the engine today, took about 3 hours. Very cold here in northeastern Ohio... 25 degrees and snow but I got it done. Engine is loaded into my other truck and off to my work to be torn apart to see if any other damage is present. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

Run valvoline vr-1 oil. Comp break in additive for break in and first few oil changes

 

If you are going to convert to a 390 and go to aluminum heads I would do roller rockers and cam. It is free horsepower and stops you from worrying about cam break in issues!

 

Been there, done that. Not fun.

Coat the cam and lifter feet with spray on dry graphite lube before reinstalling. Works like a charm.

 

I would love to go to roller lifters but they are most likely out of my budget... I priced a set with a cam for around $1200 I believe. The aluminum heads I am considering are around $1200 a pair, so I'll have to see what kind of money I'm looking at once I get a quote from the machine shop.

 

I disassembled the engine Tuesday night and dropped it off at the machine shop Wednesday at lunch. After taking off the connecting rod bearing caps, as well as the crankshaft bearing caps, I noticed how worn the bearings are. I'm glad I took all this apart, because it was only a matter of time before it would spin a bearing.

A chunk of the cam bearing fell out when I flipped the engine over on the stand.

The oil pickup tube gasket was in terrible shape, I wouldn't be surprised if it was losing oil pressure in this area.

Lots of copper... On every single bearing

Chunk of cam bearing that fell out

 

Dam, The motor mounts just fell apart! You will notice a big difference when you put no ones in.

 

I know! They completely fell apart when I started to lift the engine up... Replacing them is really going to break the bank though... $2.11 per side from RockAuto.

I wish the rest of the parts for this project were that affordable.