Re: [Amc-list] Cam Bearings 195.6 OHV

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

The change I was referring to was for oiling the head, which was in 64. The cam and first bearing changed so that the cam metered oil going to the head instead of a straight feed as in earlier engines. Some late 63 models may also have the change. I seem to recall that the change was made in May of 63, so late 63 models will have it also. Easy to spot -- the early models have one oil line running from the main galley to a T in the head, then to the filter. The late 63-65 models have two separate oil lines -- one from the main galley to the filter and another from the front cam bearing (side of block just above main galley "hump", near front) to the head. The front bearing has to have a hole in the side to match the head oiling hole. Easy enough to drill it after the cam bearing is installed if you get an older bearing set, or plug the hole and switch to the old oil line routing. 

Andre Jacobs discovered that there was a change in cam bearing size for 1965 built engines. Not sure exactly when the change occurred, but nearly all 1965 built 196s have a smaller cam bearing than earlier models. Neither of us could figure out why in blazes AMC would change the cam bearing size on an engine scheduled to be discontinued the following year! I don't recall the size of the bearings -- maybe they are the same as the 232 and it was such a minor casting and machining change that it saved a few bucks? I have no idea WHY the change, and I don't know if the bearings are the same as the 199/232 or not. It's just a wild guess. The old size worked fine from 1940 (41 models) to 1964 -- why change it the last year?? 

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:50:55 -0800 (PST)
From: JOE FULTON <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx>

My machinist called yesterday evening to ask when my
195.6 block was made.  It is a 1963 (April) block.  He
said the cam bearing size had changed during the
production run of that engine.  I'll ask when the
old/new breakpoint was (based his sources).

I know Frank Swygert had said in an earlier post that
the cam bearing changed sometime in 1964 or 1965.  The
Kanter Auto Parts site indicates that the cam bearing
size changed in 1961.  If ordering for a 1961 engine,
they need the engine number (presumably the production
date off the block).

I just brought this topic up because I would like to
pin the change date down for posterity once and for
all.  Hopefully, my machinist ordered the correct
bearings for my block.

Frank? Anyone? Does anyone know why the
journal/bearing sizes were changed?

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)

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