SBC Questions

[xylorex]

Hey guys, i was looking for a few comments / opinions. I've only done this once before, and running into totally different problems this time around.

I took apart my SBC 350 over the weekend to change the cam bearings, and found a few surprises. engine is 20 years old but doesnt have many miles on it (less than 10,000). it is one of those GM Goodwrench 350's (yeah i know, they aren't very popular -- but its what i got)

1 - whats your diagnosis on these crankshaft journals? (pics 1-3)
2 - check out these rod bearings and caps. the surface between the bearing and cap look like crap (not to mention that sexy groove). what does it look like happened here? (pics 4-5)
3 - on the oil pan gasket area i have letters B & C stamped next to each cylinder. each piston is matched to that letter. All of them are C's, except #4 is a B. (pics 6-7). any idea what the significance of these letters are?

i'm kicking around the idea of getting a whole new rotating assembly and just start fresh. Cylinder walls looks great, crosshatch is still there.

 

[Yav8]

Everything look fine to me. Crank looks good, but I would just replace the bearings to the rods and mains. If you do not know what you are doing do not try to replace the cam bearings unless you have the correct tools to do it. Looks like you have the better PM rods in that one.

 

[xylorex]

Thanks Yav8... I do have the correct cam bearing removal/install tool from my other build... i had a few guys around helping me that had experience, i'm solo on this one.

I just wasn't happy with the discoloration on the rod caps/bearings. is that discoloration from the break in process?

 

[lilbowtie]

As [U]Yav8[/U] said it doesn't look bad, would suggest getting it polished and using performance bearings. Hope your using booties on those rod bolts it's too easy to ding the crank. Looks like your wiping a lobe on the cam. Rail stampings are factory measurements for ideal piston clearance.

 

[bracketchev1221]

I would be taking it to the machine shop and have it align honed, polish the crank, have them put the cam bearings in while its there and put it back together.