66 BB GM Cam Surprise

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 BB GM Cam Surprise

Joe - my 1989 vintage crate LS6 with the 4362 has the goove as assembled by GM, and has the new block, with the large oil hole in the rear cam bearing. I used the power book trick to solder it shut, and drill it smaller per the specs in the power book to control oil flow. Seems like GM used the service parts bin to put these hi perf crate engines together...Craig

[Bill W.]

Re: 66 BB GM Cam Surprise

Joe do you think these #s stamped on the ends could have been over the counter parts and the unstamped parts installed at the engine plant? Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 BB GM Cam Surprise

Bill-----

It's remotely possible, but I really doubt it. I think that the stampings, when they are indicative of the cam ID number, are just an alternate means of identifying the cam if no cam ID number is present on the camshaft core. They may also be placed there in some cases even if the camshaft ID IS present on the camshaft core.

Any other stampings are likely other codes which have some other manufacturing significance. I think that these could be found on both PRODUCTION and SERVICE camshafts.

One other thing: camshafts were generally machined at the engine plants for both PRODUCTION and SERVICE units. However, I believe that some PRODUCTION and SERVICE camshafts were also manufactured at the GM Bay City, MI engine components plant. This MAY account for some of the differences seen in them as the manufacturing methods may have been different.