Steel babbit or aluminum cam bearings?

[patmckinneyracing]

I'm going to be running a lunati 60103 (.489/.504) in my 350 and am wondering what type of cam bearing to use.

What is "babbit" when they say steel babbit?

And is there a way to pull the bearings myself or a cheap tool or procedure to do so?

 

[tc1959]

Re: Steel babbitt or aluminum cam bearings?

Babbitt is a soft metal like lead,and is usually poured when molten, Model-T engines used babbitt bearings poured into the block and rods, as modern bearings are shell type and are installed.
Cam bearing tools are available from Snap-on , Matco, But I have never seen a cheep one. The one I have is kinda like a bearing race installer with a longer handle you either pound or press the shells in and out.

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Which is a better type to use with a decent built sbc? The motor itself has cam bearings in it from 2007 and has about 50-60k miles.

 

[tc1959]

Re: Steel babbitt or aluminum cam bearings?

Which is a better type to use with a decent built sbc? The motor itself has cam bearings in it from 2007 and has about 50-60k miles.

As far as i know as long as your not going to hot tank the block, you should be able to have them checked at a machine shop for the proper measurement. My experience is that they dont wear very much if at all. If you really want them replaced any good mfg. like clevite or trw will have what you need.