What do you use for cam bearings?

[bwells]

I've been looking for a cam bearing installation tool, but the only ones I find are for a S/B Chevy.  What do you guys use, and where do you get them? 

Bryan

[bwells]

I've found a few universal kits, but nothing for less than $200.  I was hoping to find something for less than 100...

[kylecoyote]

Just some advice from a person that has screwed up a cam bearing install with a cheap tool. Either buy a good tool and learn how to use it profficiently or have a machine shop do it. A good tool will last you forever and if you go the other route it't not much at all to have cam bearings installed if the block is already taken down.

[bwells]

I've been talking to a buddy of mine who's installed them himself before.  He said that it only takes 10-20 minutes, so I may take the motor down to the shop and have them do it.  It should be fairly cheap, and I know the guy that works there fairly well.  He's done a lot of work for me in the past, and may do it for me for free.  I've already got the bottom end of the motor together, crank, rods, pistons, oil pump and pickup, along with the heads.  I wasn't going to take it down to the shop, but I may throw the oil pan on and take it down.  I may try and rent a puller.  There's a couple places in town that rent tools like that.  I'll have to call them tomorrow.

[NYrr496]

It's going to be a lot more work installing the bearings with the crank and rods in. Depending on the position of the bearing and the layout of the lifter valley, sometimes you need to be able to work from the bottom.
  If I remember correctly, the small mopar has pretty good sized holes in the middle of the lifter valley, so you will probably be ok.  THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is lining up the oil holes.   Also, it's easier to do a bare block because the front bearing has to be installed from the rear, so it needs to be on the floor or a sturdy bench.

I have a Snap on or Mac universal bearing tool.  It has different heads and has installed everything from automotive bearings all the way up to 16 cylinder Cats with 6 1/4" cylinders.     The trick to doing this is to line the tool up solid with the cone that the shaft goes through.   Using a rubber dead blow hammer, strike the tool  square and solid.  I've always been able to turn a cam with my fingers after installing my own bearings.