camshaft

hammondo · Post by **hammondo** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:50 pm

Hello, another silly question.

Do those four screws along the side of the block (about 6mm diameter) stop the camshaft from pulling out?

I thought with the 2 retaining bolts removed and distributor etc removed it would pull out.

Thanks
Greg

rosco · Post by **rosco** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:58 pm

Hi Greg,
I am of the opinion that you will need to remove the distributor, rocker cover, slacken off the rockers, remove the push-rods, remove the spark plugs then side-plate, remove the cam followers, remove the harmonic balancer then timing case cover and undo the two cam retaining screws to get the cam out.
Be very careful removing the cam - try not to allow it to "drop" - especially the lobes and be very careful of the four camshaft bearings as you withdraw the camshaft - they are soft metal (I think?).
I can't recall the four screws you mention - I'm sure others will enlighten us.

frats,
Rosco

hammondo · Post by **hammondo** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:04 pm

Thanks rosco, I probably should have mentioned that all that is actually done already.

Its a short motor atm with just a crank and cam left in it. I have two problem lifters that wont come up, must go down.

Does anyone know where to source new lifters, repco says they can't get them.

Thanks
Greg

FB MAD · Post by **FB MAD** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:11 pm

Not exactly sure about the 4 screws you are referring to??

If you haven't already removed the lifters you'll probably find they might be the reason that the cam won't come out as they'll stop the cam sliding out.Don't have to completly remove the lifters if you don't want to but they have got to be pulled up enough so the lobes will go past them.

Try to not mix the lifters up if you can as they would be run in, so to speak, to their respective cam lobe.If you do mix them up it's not the end of the world, they will still work OK.It's just considered best not to mix them up.

It also takes a bit of manouvering to get the cam out as each bearing boss on the cam has to line up with the bearing shells in the block to allow it to slide out.The rearmost bearing on the cam from memory is the smallest and they go up in size slightly with each respective bearing to the front bearing.Try to be gentle as the lobes on the cam can mark the bearing shells if you are a little bit aggro with it.

Can be tricky even for those that have done it heaps so persevere with it.

And also, there are no silly questions here, we all try to help each other

Good luck with it and ask questions again if your in doubt.

Hope that helps,

Terry.

hammondo · Post by **hammondo** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:18 pm

Cheers Terry, the lifters were pulled up out of the way, maybe its just being stubborn like you say, its just that those screws go in right over each camshaft bearing and i can't think what they are for (the motor was originally EJ if thats means anything.

Thanks
Greg

FB MAD · Post by **FB MAD** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:26 pm

If you have problem lifters that are stuck then its most likely either carbon buildup on the bottom of the lifter stopping it from coming all the way up and/or a lifter that is worn somewhat and a small wear ridge on the lifter may be stopping it.

If you have the sump off ( which you most likely would ) try moving the cam lobes around so you can see the foot of the lifter and try using light taps with a hammer and a piece of soft metal such as a brass rod about 1/4 inch diameter and tap the lifter out that way.Actually brass shouldn't hurt the lifter too much so you could use heavier taps if need be.

As a last resort you could try a mild steel metal rod/punch of some sort but this may damage the lifter beyond suitability for further use if it's stuck too much and is damaged tapping it out.

Don't know where you could source new lifters other than rare as hell NOS ones.

There are places around that can reface the lifter base if the lifter isn't worn too much but if they show signs of pitting on the lifter foot then that usually means they are beyond being able to be refaced.

Cheers,

Terry.

FB MAD · Post by **FB MAD** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:32 pm

I've got an EJ motor in the shed "somewhere" so will have a look at it in the morning and get back to you on the screws you mention.

Terry.

hammondo · Post by **hammondo** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:07 pm

Thanks Terry, I should have checked lifters were available before I chucked them all in a pile. Will have to just put them back wherever if I can't get new ones. I guess that also means I don't have to get the other two out!

I'm not use to working on motors which are so hard to get parts for.

My 1924 Dodge is easier than this!

Cheers
Greg