Cleaning up Cam/Crank Journals

[NAZ]

First full disclosure: I'm not professing to be an expert on your engine but I have quite a bit of experience with a variety of split case bearing journals and can give you some general guidelines on how to deal with this.

Check the repair manual for a wear spec before attempting to clean up these surfaces. It's easy to damage these surfaces when attempting to "polish" out some minor imperfection that is perceived as a problem -- so don't be in a hurry to fix something that is not really broke. The surface finish is seldom an issue. It's common to see some minor fretting on the surfaces where the bearings nest. It is almost never a problem unless the wear is enough that the bearing will not nest properly. I see nothing in the photo to indicate a spun bearing -- this is the most common cause of damage I've experienced. If all you're dealing with is minor fretting then clean the surfaces with a soft cloth and solvent. When you install the bearings make sure they are nesting fully. Follow the repair manual reassembly procedure which should include installing the bearings and assembling the case halves without the crank to measure the bearing I.D.s for concentricity and proper clearance. Use a bore gauge for this it is much more accurate than the plastigauge most DIY hobbyists use.

Good luck.

[lsfourwheeler]

First full disclosure: I'm not professing to be an expert on your engine but I have quite a bit of experience with a variety of split case bearing journals and can give you some general guidelines on how to deal with this.

Check the repair manual for a wear spec before attempting to clean up these surfaces. It's easy to damage these surfaces when attempting to "polish" out some minor imperfection that is perceived as a problem -- so don't be in a hurry to fix something that is not really broke. The surface finish is seldom an issue. It's common to see some minor fretting on the surfaces where the bearings nest. It is almost never a problem unless the wear is enough that the bearing will not nest properly. I see nothing in the photo to indicate a spun bearing -- this is the most common cause of damage I've experienced. If all you're dealing with is minor fretting then clean the surfaces with a soft cloth and solvent. When you install the bearings make sure they are nesting fully. Follow the repair manual reassembly procedure which should include installing the bearings and assembling the case halves without the crank to measure the bearing I.D.s for concentricity and proper clearance. Use a bore gauge for this it is much more accurate than the plastigauge most DIY hobbyists use.

Good luck.

Great, so what about the cam journals? I understand not doing anything to the crank journals because they're not actually a bearing surface so that makes sense but the cam journals are. Any recommended options on those besides nothing or taking it to a machine shop?

[turbomacncheese]

I see nothing in the photo to indicate a spun bearing -- this is the most common cause of damage I've experienced. If all you're dealing with is minor fretting then clean the surfaces with a soft cloth and solvent. When you install the bearings make sure they are nesting fully. Follow the repair manual reassembly procedure which should include installing the bearings and assembling the case halves without the crank to measure the bearing I.D.s for concentricity and proper clearance. Use a bore gauge for this it is much more accurate than the plastigauge most DIY hobbyists use.
Good luck.

I'll second this. As for the cam journals, how does it feel with the cams lubed and torqued in? Any slop? Any wiggle? Do you have pictures of the wear pattern in the journals and on the cams?

[lsfourwheeler]

I'll second this. As for the cam journals, how does it feel with the cams lubed and torqued in? Any slop? Any wiggle? Do you have pictures of the wear pattern in the journals and on the cams?

Here's a picture of the cam journals, it's not as good but you can see some of the wear lines. My real concern is the journal caps that for a couple of them have a scratch or two in them from what looks like mishandling on the part of a previous owner. I don't have pictures of the caps though.

MVIMG_20180127_132400.jpg