ralfyguy wrote on 09/08/12 at 06:06:09:Makes one wonder why the cam didn't get roller bearings like everything else on the motor that turns.
...limits in construction. It would make the head of the engine about 1" higher and longer in horizontal. Orientation of the valves had to be different (how they are actually placed is near the optimum) Then the frame had to be larger as a result. OK, it could be still a Savage or a S40 but a bit larger.
Another point: The camshaft has two and a half bearings. The outer ones could me made as roller bearing or needle bearing. But not the middle one without giving the camshaft a different construction. The middle bearing has to bear the most burden
and has to avoid oscillations. Therefore it mus be that large.
...and at least, a slide bearing isn't that bad at all! It just needs an assured lubrication. Like other bearings do, too.
Last, when talking about oil, don't only think of lubrication, think about heat dissipation, too. Just another reason to care about the oil level, -quality and aging of it...