Rear cam plug for 184 bowtie block

[Rich Biebel]

I recall early small block Bowtie blocks having odd size rear cam plugs and also the small plug under the rear cap was different.


I built a few engines using them and they were the 184 casting numbers.

I really think I just sorted thru various sizes untill I got a good fit.

Measure the hole with a dial caliper and find a shallow plug about .010" -.015"smaller....

I always staked the plug in with a hammer and a blunt nose punch...

I have even epoxied them just to make sure they don't move or leak...

[Darrin Christen]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Daren, if it has stock size cam journals, and it turns out to have those two threaded holes, this factory piece is a nice heal. It's like a plug with an O ring, made on a flat plate with ears for the two screws. Slicker piece than a drive-in plug. I can't use it because I had 50mm roller cam bearings installed. The hole is too big now.

This block has 50mm roller brgs as well. Thanks to everyone for the help.

[FED 387]

Darrin---after thinking about this try contacting Dart Machinery in Michigan they have a full line of parts that would probably fit your application--- cannot cost a lot either(they sell a whole freeze plug kit and block plugs for only $25) maybe even tell you the correct size your gonna need and tell you to go to the auto parts store---

[Darrin Christen]

Thanks for everyones help on this. The block does have the bolt holes that Ed mentioned for the bolt on cam plug, but it has 50mm roller brgs. I ordered the one Jegs had listed for the Dart blocks and it was identical to the one that is in my bowtie block. It was only $.87 cents from Jegs! Might be the cheapest thing in the motor! The plug measures 2.394" and the bore in the block measures 2.387" in case anyone is wondering.

[ron mattson]

The cam plug on the bowtie blocks with a std cam is 2-7/64 or a dorman
part number 555-080 for all current generation blocks with 2in bearing saddles.

[carl hinkson]

Originally Posted by Darrin Christen

Thanks for everyones help on this. The block does have the bolt holes that Ed mentioned for the bolt on cam plug, but it has 50mm roller brgs. I ordered the one Jegs had listed for the Dart blocks and it was identical to the one that is in my bowtie block. It was only $.87 cents from Jegs! Might be the cheapest thing in the motor! The plug measures 2.394" and the bore in the block measures 2.387" in case anyone is wondering.

If that the EPC-92 cam plug make sure you install it with the flat side out and cup side towards the inside!!!

Good luck