I have started going through a 1958-1962 Chevy 235 that I pulled from a parts car. Everything was looking good until I pulled the oil pan and flipped the block over on my stand. The second to rear cam bearing is all chewed up and half out of the casting!
Do I have a big time problem?? The motor still spins freely as the bearing has bent away from the cam lobe. My guess is this means new cam, new pressed in bearings at least and a total rebuild as most.
I have a running 216 in my car so maybe I'll scrap the idea of using the 235? Anybody been through this before, help!

Just went through the same thing on my 292,it is in the dumpster because they don't make oversize cam bearings.

I contacted Tom Langdon, and he put me in touch with an engine builder. It'll be about $1000 to rebuild the motor depending on wear.
So now I have to decide, do I run the 216 which isn't the best motor, and should probably get a valve job, or rebuild the 235 or get a V-thingy??
I'd like to have the 235 but $1500 could get me alot of the things I need for the rest of the car (brakes, rebuild front end, rear end gears, interior...)

Dear Aaron;

Don't 'give up the ship' yet. Keep in mind that all of your other stuff is ok for rebuilding etc.

Until your present block is checked at a Machine Shop you can't say anything "for sure".

Finding a 261" would be faster/better than a V-8 or the 216.

Good luck, John M......

Hi Ron . . .

What would one need an 'oversize cam bearing' for?

The old ones are yanked from the block - replaced with new ones to spec - and a new cam is to spec . . .

am I missing something here?

regards,
Keith

Dear Kieth;

If the bearing spun in the block, Aaron may be in trouble. Or; maybe it was instaled wrong, long ago.

This all needs to be checked in the Machine Shop. It may be possible to "pin" the new bearing in his block (I think) & I am looking into this now.

John M.......