Predator 420 cam bearings (or lack thereof)?!

scottykify

So Im doing a mild Club Car Predator 420 swap. I put in the 35lb valve springs and go to remove the governor and I noticed all the nice big ball bearings pressed in the side case which was cool, EXCEPT the camshaft which simply rides inside a machined bore into the aluminum cover. What is up with that? Even the balance shaft gets ball bearings! I cant help but think with heavier valve springs and the constant side load this aluminum bore will be seeing it will wear out fairly quick, changing valve lash and gear lash between the crank and cam.

Just curious if you guys have had issues with this at all or am I worried for no reason "which is usually the case"

BGW

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slonomo

These engines were not made to last a long time. I'm sure with actual bearings it would run longer, but that would drive the price up. Predator engines are all about low price. Good engine for the money.

I don't think the 35 lb springs will cause that much of an issue. If you were using a super high lift cam that might be different. Make sure you use a good high quality oil with moly, zinc, and phosphorus. You can use an additive, but most HD30 oils have what you need. I run Rotella 15w30 in my small engines. The extra additives help metal to metal bearing and bushing wear.

raydhd

You will find many small engines use this method such as the yamaha G-2 -16, as well the briggs vanguards and kohlers. I don't think those are short life engines.

slonomo

So in your opinion the Predator engines from Harbor Freight are as durable as Yamaha and Briggs Vanguards? Why don't you stop hijacking threads and answer the OP's questions and be helpful instead of making arguments all the time?

To the OP, as I said, the Predator is a good engine for the money. I don't think you'll have any issues. I've used Predator engines before and never had any issues with them. Just make sure you use good quality oil and change the oil often. If you run it hard, change the oil more frequently.

raydhd

To the OP The yamaha G2-16 are splash oiled engines like the predator with the cam shaft riding in the aluminum cases and are arguably some of the most durable golf cart engines produced. P.S. The yamahas after the G16 may also share this method also but I haven't been inside one to say.P.P.S. My VC 460 has 330 hours + with the torque cam and the comp cams valves springs.

BIKERMIKEYBLACK

The 420 and 460 clone engines are the same as 390 Honda’s all have no cam bearings
Also Scotty I have a duromax with 8 years of abuse it also has 35 lb valve springs and governor removed revs easily to 5600 and issues so far I’m using valvoline 20/50 synthetic motorcycle oil

raydhd

Pictured here is a VC 460 front cover. You can see the cam bearing boss to the left. Note the heavy ribs supporting it along with the fairly large oil passage lubricating the cam shaft. I have never seen anything about even the racers having an issue in this area.

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Shepard

The block is super thick - the cast boss for the bearing bearing has great support. But --- There's not enough material to cut out for a bronze bushing which I agree should be there.
Back to what Ray said -- I've never heard of any issues related to cam bearing failure. Lobes flattening out - cams breaking in half -- that's about it.
Again I think it should have a better bearing system for the cam supports.

Field6565

Nothing to worry about here. All of these engines will show their weak links in other places well before the cam bushing/bearings are of concern.

raydhd

Even the Super Duty ARC Billet double crank bearing units use the same set up minus the balance shaft bearings and bosses.