Triumph Repair: Using 1300 cam in 1500 engine, cam bearings, perfect alignment

Question
I am currently having a 1500 engine rebuilt.  As you are well aware of, the 1500's did not come with cam bushings.  I have never liked this situation and believe it will adversely affect the longevity of either the eng or the cam.  Can I buy a set of 1300 cam bushings as wells as a 1300 cam and use it instead of the 1500 cam.  I understand that this should only require the pressing in of the cam bearings.  If this is possible, should I have the bushings line bored after being pressed in to ensure perfect alignment?

Answer
Kevin,

Yes, you can fit a 1300 cam and cam bearings into the 1500 block, it's the "hot rodders tweak" for the 1500s.  British Leyland most likely deleted the cam bearings as an additional part cost, plus the labor to install them.

I haven't seen an instance where the bearings need to be line bored after installation.  That being said, if you're having a machine shop install them it's not a bad idea to let them have the cam and they can test fit after fitting the bearings to insure there's not problem.  Unless you've found a set of original New Old Stock (NOS) bearings you'll be working with reproductions, either from the the company that's bought up the original bearing maker or pattern bearings manufactured in the far east.   Either way there's always a chance they'll be out of spec.



Cheers,

Jim