Camshafts control the exhaust and intake valves of an internal combustion engine. It regulates the four strokes of the ignition process, which are the intake, compression, power, and exhaust. Your camshaft needs to rotate at half the speed of your crankshaft. If the camshafts aren’t properly timed, it puts your engine at risk for severe damage. While installing a camshaft takes a little more advanced engine work, it’s possible to learn to do the job as safely as possible for your make and model. Here are some helpful tips for installing a camshaft.
1. Review your car’s user manual.
The assembly of an engine can vary in different makes and models. Because of that, it’s difficult to offer a generalized guide for installing any camshaft. You need to have a user’s manual that has rebuild schematics specific to your vehicle. If you attempt to install it without following the guidelines specific to your car, you risk causing significant damage to the engine.
2. Determine if you need to pull the entire engine.
In some cases, accessing the crankshaft compartment may require pulling the entire engine, depending on your vehicle. Overhead camshaft engines tend to be much easier to access than overhead valve engines, where the camshaft is centered in an engine block. American-made V6 and V8 engines usually use in-block camshafts, which means you might have to pull the engine out to do the swap. Engines that use overhead camshaft configuration will often have multiple camshafts.
3. Access your camshaft.
Getting the timing cover removed is one of the most challenging parts of an in-car installation if you plan to do so without pulling your engine. Your oil pan has to be lowered enough to clear the crankshaft snout and remove the timing cover. When the cover is off the engine, you can then remove the three upper timing-chain bolts along with the lower timing gear if a new timing chain needs to be installed. Keep in mind that this process will vary depending on the make and model. In general, though, you’ll need to disconnect the battery lines, remove the radiator cap, and release the valve under the passenger’s side to get it drained.
4. Remove valve covers.
When you have the valve covers removed, you’ll be able to access the lifters, rockers, and pushrods. The pushrods and rockers need to be kept in order. When you remove the rocker nuts, your engine might have to be turned over a couple of times to take valve spring pressure away from specific rocker-to-valve stem contact points. If necessary, remove your intake air temperature and mass airflow sensor assembly.
5. Rotate your cam.
When you’re turning the camshaft wheel, turn it until you see the V-shaped timing mark that’s at the top. If the timing marks aren’t properly aligned during assembly, your camshaft will be out of phrase with your crankshaft. This will result in the valves being damaged if they strike the pistons.
6. Remove your old cam.
The ideal way to have a camshaft removed is by using a camshaft removal tool. Nonetheless, if you’re on a tight budget, you can remove the cam out of your engine block by twisting it slowly. You want to be cautious when twisting, so you don’t gall or scratch the bearings.
7. Wash your new part in a solvent.
Before installing the new camshaft and valve gear components, they need to be washed in a solvent. Washing in a solvent will remove dust and grease that’s accumulated on the parts during transport. Dry your parts by laying them on a paper towel. Be mindful that hydraulic lifters shouldn’t be soaked, as it will be comprised by cleaning solvents. Be sure to also check the part numbers on the new camshaft and valve gear components to see if they match with the equipment requirements in your car manual.
8. Lubricate the cam.
Next, you’ll need to coat your cam lobes and bearings with an oil conditioner. The conditioner is usually included in your new parts kit. Rotate your cam while it’s in the block, and then apply oil in small amounts. You should be careful to avoid scratching your cam bearings. The cam should be moved back as far as the plug at the rear of the block allows. Then, fasten the upper timing gear.
9. Set the timing chain.
After the parts have been lubricated, the sprocket and timing chain can be assembled. The timing gear needs to be set to Top Dead Center to align the timing, and the assembly needs to be torqued to proper specifications. Gears will generally be marked with a green dot or a notch to help set TDC. Refer to your manufacturer’s direction to know what position to rotate your gear to.
10. Position the lower part of the timing cover over your oil pan.
Be sure that the oil isn’t leaking from the front of your engine. Silicone should be applied between your timing cover seal contact points and the oil pan. Then, the oil pan should be tightened back in place. If your gasket isn’t damaged, you can clean it before spreading a thin layer of silicone between the block and the pan.
11. Lubricate and install lifters.
You should always use a set of new lifters. Check each of them to ensure they can move unimpeded after you’ve assembled them. If they don’t, the lifter and cam will be distributed incorrectly, which can potentially result in engine failure. Each of the new lifters should be lubricated. The pushrods should be installed through the cylinder heads. Then, you can install the rocker arms and have the pushrods against the rocker cups.
12. Reinstall the rest of your assembly.
Reinstall your water pump and have both heater hoses reconnected. Replace the driver belt and compress the belt tensioner. Then, reinstall your radiator, get all of the hoses refastened, reconnecting the tubes in the fill neck. You can test the timing by letting the engine run without starting it. If there’s no problem, reconnect the coil pack harness. Then, you can start the car to verify if your oil pressure is stable. Once the engine is at full temperature, replace the radiator cap.
Installing camshafts can take a lot of work. Despite that, it’s possible with having the right tools and following your car manual’s instruction. If you’re missing some necessary parts, you can see if you can find what you need at gold farb.
