So this may be a no brainer for most people on here but I thought I'd ask anyway. When doing a cam shaft and timing gear change......'66 289 4V BTW, is it necessary to replace the cam shaft thrust plate and bearing as well or can the existing one be used? What about the fuel pump eccentric? Use the original or is it better to replace that as well. Does that come under the "cheap insurance, might as well do it while it's apart category" Would be nice to know before hand so I dont have to wait for the extra parts. Thanks
Unless they show signs of unusual wear, it is not normally necessary to replace the plate or pump eccentric.
Just me but unless there's something obviously wrong with the cam bearings, leave em be. They cannot be changed while the engine is in the car anyway. The engine has to be pulled and completely disassembled to change the cam bearings, and even then it should be left to a competent machine shop to do the job of changing the bearings.
Yes that is something i forgot to mention. I change them if the engine is out, most likely if it's out I am going to have the machine shop take a glance at it anyway, might as well have them change those bearings out, and check all the plugs for cheap insurance. If it is in the car and looks alright then yes leave them alone.
Thanks for the replies guys. At this stage the plan is to take it out and do a full tear down. More than likely it'll be hot tanked in which case the bearings will need replacing right? Unless of course I decide to save myself a bit of money and clean it myself
If the engine is going to be rebuilt and is coming completely apart, have the cam bearings replaced. The thrust plate (there is no thrust bearing in an OEM 289) can be reused if not obviously worn (it should feel smooth to the touch) but I would (and do) replace the attachment bolts. Same for fuel pump eccentric. While you're in that area with the engine apart, remove the oil gallery soft plugs and have the passage ends threaded for screw-in plugs. Cheap insurance. Good luck!
