I recently picked up my 502 gen6 block from the machine shop, cleaning, light decking, honing, line bore, new cam bearings, etc. After looking closely at the cam bearings I noticed some markings on one of them in the middle. The markings are deep enough I feel with my finger mail. Should I complain or is it not that big of an issue? It is kinda upsetting to see the markings after spending so much for the block work. I’d hate to have to bring it back for repairs wait another week to get it back. It looks like he may of got his cam stuck while fitting the bearings. He did say that he installed new cam bearings and used one of his cams to fit the bearings.

That's no good. If it was on top maybe. On bottom where the load is, NO.

Its too hard to tell from your pictures to be honest with you. They might have had to size the bearings some and if so that might not be that unusual. Also i have seen some brands of cam bearings that look like that when new.

Also, have you tried your cam in it yet ? I always like to have the actual cam that will be used when installing cam bearings. Lately I have had more than one aftermarket cam that was a little larger od than the stock ones. If I dont have the actual camshaft I always tell my customers that the first thing they need to do before starting assembly is to try their camshaft to make sure it spins freely.

Also, what are all those little chips of metal that it looks like are sitting on the bearing ?

Hello and thank you for your reply.

I did try my camshaft and it feels good.

Those little chips of metal looking things are the actual damaged areas of the bearing. I wiped them clean before taking the photos. They’re indents I can feel with my fingernail.

I have a strong feeling the machine shop is just going to tell me it’s completely fine and nothing to worry about. It’s a smaller shop with just the one owner doing all the work.

here’s a little better photo maybe-

Oh wow. Now that I can see them they are definitely not acceptable. That almost looks like the damage you get after having some water in the oil. I cannot imagine what they would have done while installing and fitting the cam bearings to make those kinds of pits ?? I have done at least a couple of sets a week for the last 35 years and have never ended up with that type of damage. Does you invoice have a part number for the cam bearings ? Just curious what brand they used.

Thank you,
Invoice just says install new cam bearings. What brand should I recommend when I bring it back?

I have been using Durabond for years but everyone has their favorites. Any of the name brand ones should be fine. I still cannot figure out how the pits got in there

Thank you. Yeah I’m guessing there was some grit or something within his expansion sleeve while installing the bearing which pressed into the bearing.

I was just watching a big time race engine builder working on his own motor and noticed where a bolt hit the crank (last time the motor came apart). No concern as long as there were no ridges higher than the original surface. Indents just become oil valleys.

Very true but my concern in this case is that the bearing surface is coming apart for some reason. I simply cannot believe that those "chips" were caused by any cam bearing tool that I have ever seen.