repairing camshaft bearings?

[rabbitman]

I've got a cracked/junk head if you want the cap.

[truckinwagen]

that would be great, I dont know if the repair is possible, but I would still like to try...

-Owen

[GTD.]

Amish machine shop

Surely an oxymoron

[Baron VonZeppelin]

It was stated somewhere in a thread here or vortex about some of the 77 78 79 ? vintage heads having half shell cam bearings installed as a repair.

I think 2 or 3 said they had come across such items in days gone by.
Guess that is what you were hoping to find for this repair.
Maybe something or someone will turn up to shine a light on it.

Probably the best way to repair instead of welding #1 - would be have all the caps decked, and all the saddles decked - then a fresh line bore job all the way through. And thats just a hillbilly guess. fwiw

[rabbitman]

I wonder if the cam is the same diameter as some other model like the water boxer or air cooled engines or even another manufacturer altogether.

That would be the way to go, maybe if it was close you could turn the cam bearing surfaces down a little bit so it would work.

[truckinwagen]

to tell the truth, I think this head is destined for the trash can.

I have a spare in the works, so there is no immediate need to fix this one.

and the machining cost of either welding and machining, or machining for bearing shells will be more than the head is worth.

I think I will just cut my losses and strip the head of any usable parts and invest my time in a head that is in better shape.

-Owen

[janb]

I will concur that the head may be best suited for the scrap heap.

but...
I would give Chuck a call on Tues AM
http://www.aluminumheads.com/

He is well acquainted with VW-D's and has done some amazing welding and salvage for me.

(Email him the pics 1st)