removing cam bearings on 36T,also new cam gears

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hi,im wanting to hot dip the block,but as this would destroy the cam bearings,am wondering how difficult it is to remove them without damage,and are they easily replaced? if there is a way to clean out the block without hot dipping(thus necessitating bearing removal)im all ears.

also,i would like to replace the fibre cam gears with aluminium,as this would maybe less prone to turning into sawdust,are such things available?

Thanks in advance for any info,im sure to be asking a whole lot of stupid questions in the next few weeks,but thats why old codgers were invented,to pass down their wisdom to the struggling younger generations!LOL

Comments

  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    The cam bearings come out pretty easily, they are held in with a pin that you need to drive out. They definitely have to come out if you are going to dip the block. If you dip the block you must rebore it. If the engine does not need to be rebored and if the water passages are relative clean, there is an alternative. Most engine machine shops have a pressure washing machine like thing that will clean the block up real well. The aluminum timing gears are very hard to find, I have never found one. The fiber ones are everywhere. I think that I qualify as an old codger LOL!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Cam bearings are cheap. Would replace them. Any shop that rebuilds engines can do it. Cleaning the block is essential. You'd be surprised at all the crud hiding in the oil and cooling passages.

    As far as timing gears go, I'd replace them with steel gears if available.

    I'm sure someone on this forum could steer you in the right direction. Better yet, did you ever consider joining White triangle News? You can get parts ,information, and read some fantasic articles. I don't think you'll find more knowledgeable people on Hudsons anywhere. Well worth it. Jim
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    No cam bearings for this engine are NOT cheap! This is the early 212 splasher motor not the later 212. The timing set you are looking for is a alum. cam gear and a steel crank gear in a matching set Hudson part #165907 You may also find a aftermarket set. I have found 2 sets in recent years but they are hard to find and Hudson people ask a premium price where non-Hudson people might sell cheap because they dont know any better. Chuck G
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    I agree with Chuck, I wrecked my cam bearings by NOT removing them before I had the engine tanked and I had a very hard time finding another set. And Chuck G. is right, there is an aluminum replacement for the fiber stock gear, that is also impossible to find for this engine. The steel gear that it matches in on the end of the cam! The '36T is the early 212 engine and parts are difficult to find, but they are out there. The best source that I know is Carl Webber in MA, he is a member of HET and in the directory. He lots of pre-war engine parts, NOS goodies of every sort. I have been in his warehouse and it is awesome!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Carl is a super nice guy and i have bought parts at the Nationals from him for my 37 Terraplane. The alum. timing conversion kit does require you modify a couple mounting plate bolt holes but no big deal. Like i said there were after market companies that made this kit so they are out there. When you consider that the old fiber gears are at least 50 years old thats kind of scarey. Chuck
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    excellent info,will probably pressure wash the block,and leave the cam bearings in as they are in good condition.I joined HET,but dont have a directory,anyone know how to contact Carl?phone or email would be good.thanks.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    I concur with the decision to pressure wash instead of hot dip. You must ensure that the main bearing feed gutters are totally cleaned out of grit, carbon and gunk. The cam bearings in this model engine are solid white metal, unlike later engines which have steel backed shells. Timing gears, they changed the pitch of the gears in 1941, and you need a matched pair of gears. Even the fibre gear from then on was stronger than the earlier, but alloy would be preferable. Have you tried Dave Kostansek for a set of gears?
  • barrysweet52
    barrysweet52 Expert Adviser
    Walts book explains the modifications reqd to convert to an Alu timing gear. I have 5 of the Alu gears for sale but no steel crank gears. There have been a lot of threads previously on this subject. Someone suggested that new cam bearings could be machined out of aluminium. Not sure what grade as there must be many different types of Alu. They would be very easy to make out of white metal if you cant find NOS. Les P had some sets of timing gears for sale in the past. Regards, Barry
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Once you drive the pin holding the cam bearings out, or in actually, as you'll have to drive them into the bore, you can use a length of threaded rod with appropriate nuts and washers to pull and/or insert the bearings
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