CAMSHAFT BEARING

[denguy]

What is the camshaft bearing like at the front of the head where the sprocket-pulley goes on?

[blkfordsedan]

There is no bearing there (or any replaceable cam bearings). The camshaft runs directly in the aluminum head journals.
If the journal/head is wore out, the head is basically scrap.

[FestYboy]

^ not so much... but repairing the journals may not be cost effective compaired to a new head. the damaged head would have to be line bored and then inserts pressed in. BUT, this would allow you to bore out the journals and have a larger custom cam made to better specs than the stock unit. then again, if you're going that route, a B6 head and block are in order and that will save time, effort and $$$$.

[zoom zoom]

there should be a cam seal behind the cam pulley sandwiched between the first journal. I know a guy in the FS section with an aspire head he'd be willing to part with if you wanted a better valve train.

[blkfordsedan]

^ not so much... but repairing the journals may not be cost effective compaired to a new head. the damaged head would have to be line bored and then inserts pressed in. BUT, this would allow you to bore out the journals and have a larger custom cam made to better specs than the stock unit. then again, if you're going that route, a B6 head and block are in order and that will save time, effort and $$$$.

Yes, techniclly its possible. You would hve to find repair inserts to match the cm journal diameter. Federal Mogul used to make some, but. They were discontinued. If you go bigger, it would require a custom cam core...which would be high dollar.

[denguy]

Thanks for the input.