Just had this issue with a new XE284H in my son's 455. It was smooth until the last bearing, then required a ratchet to turn it. Everything miked out fine and the bearings have about 16k miles on them and look great. We just lubed it up and ran it. After about 100 miles we tore it down to advance the cam and it spun freely by hand. The journals and bearings looked fine. If I remember right, my 455 had an issue with a stiff Crane cam too, but turned easily after initial break-in.
__________________
1967 Firebird ragtop, 464, Weiand 8-71, ported 6H heads, Hyd roller, 4L80E, paddle shifter, Moser 9", Cal-Tracs, Vintage Air, Corbeau seats, 13"/12" disk brakes, Hydraboost, electric cutouts and M&H drag radials. 
|