I've got a few thousand miles on my rebuilt 8-bolt b20f k-jet.

Oil light started flickering at idle after a fast 100 mile run. Temp entirely normal by the gauge. Pressure good at startup, but not over 100psi.

There is also now a subtle rattle above 4500rpm that sounds internal. No bits in the drained oil.

I suspect that the front cam bearing has partially failed, as it was when I removed the engine last time, and as GaryL found on the engine he got from me.

Is it just me? I can live with it for now, but I won't put a s-charger on it until I am happy.

I used steel gears on this rebuild. I had a shop install the bearings. The same guys that used 1.75" freeze plugs instead of 45mm.

I suspect that the loading of the front cam bearing is excessive in this design, and that the strength of the components covers the weakness. It seems to be just a crap-shoot to get that front cam bearing just so perfectly aligned and round, that it will not spin or melt.

I may pull the head and front covers in the spring to inspect and possibly fix it, when I can get hold of a cam bearing press, but I don't have a lot of faith now in assured prospects.

Any advice is appreciated.



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MPergiel, Elmhurst, IL '74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'