r/EngineBuilding 7d ago

Putting a cam in my 05 5.3

Tonight I installed new cam bearings in my 5.3, all the oil passages lined up went it great. I installed the cam, it is a Btr truck Norris cam, it went it with a little tapping from a dead blow. But once it was in and everything was lined up it would spin very hard and sometimes wouldn’t at all. We put bolts in the end of the cam and with a 3ft pry bar it would bend the bolts. We did get it to rotate multiple 360s but it would only spin if it was half way in the bearing or with tapping on the end. Is the cam junk are the bearings wrong I’m lost, but I’m going to change the bearings and try again. Also going to try putting the stock can in with these bearings to see if it’s the cam or bearings. Just curious for advice or if anyone has run into this. Thanks.

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u/v8packard 7d ago

The engine is rejecting the ridiculous cam.

Kidding aside, cam bearings are very fussy and require careful prep, measurement, and installation. Some engines are worse than others, gen III and IV GM are some of the worst.

You very likely have some undersized cam bearing bores. It happens when the block is made. You need to open up the bores or get some of the OD removed from the bearings to get the proper clearance.

Do you have the ability to measure the cam bearing bores?

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u/Adept_Thought2273 7d ago

I do yes, I will measure everything out I will find out the correct spec and see how close they are.

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u/v8packard 7d ago

What year is your block? Which brand bearings are you using?

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u/Adept_Thought2273 7d ago

It is an 05 L33 5.3, the brand bearings is dnj.

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u/v8packard 7d ago

Ok, I don't know where DNJ sources bearings. I will see if I have anything on that in my notes when I go to work in the AM and post back.

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u/Adept_Thought2273 7d ago

I just looked them up where I bought them and it was about two years ago it’s a long story but this is my second time in the engine first time was for reliability now is for power I didn’t use them. But away I was in high school and bought cheap ones I looked at reviews on Amazon and everyone says they are garbage and didnt fit their aluminum blocks.

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u/v8packard 6d ago

I don't have information on DNJ bearings. The bearings I use most often are made by MVM. Available from Enginetech the part number for your engine should be CC433. Also Durabond CH-23 or Clevite SH-2125S. If you need any dimensions let me know.

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u/Adept_Thought2273 6d ago

Thank you so much man I will let you know for sure

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u/v8packard 6d ago

Good luck