"Easy" way to replace camshaft seal?

[avatar28]

I'm going to be replacing the CMP sensor today. I know it's recommended to replace the camshaft seals since they appear to have leaked oil all over the old one. I managed to find the one set of camshaft seals in the city. Now I'm not sure how to do it. I see lots of talking about it but no luck finding a guide. Is it possible to do the replacement on at least the one behind the CMPS without taking half the engine apart per the 60k guide on SHO Phoenix? If not I think it's going to have to wait until I have A) warmer weather, B) someone with a vague idea what the **** they're doing to help and C) money to buy the various and sundry parts and seals that I might as well proactively service while I'm in there.

 

[Irish Pride]

Where in TN are you located? I'm in Nashville. If you aren't that far I can give you a hand. I have the Rotunda kit which makes that back seal so much easier. The best way I've found to remove the old seals is to use a small torch to soften the rubberized part of the seal then use a pick to pry it out.

 

[avatar28]

Yes, I'm in Nashville! I actually ended up just replacing the sensor without the seals for now since it seemed replacing the seals was so involved and time was wasting. If you're willing, I'd love for you to help me give it a going over to plan what I need to do on it (and want to do in some cases).

 

[rubydist]

Unless you have the factory seal expander tool, I have found that the only guaranteed way to replace the rear cam seal without messing it up is to remove the rear valve cover, remove the cam bearing cap on the end, then slip the old seal off and the new one on. Then reinstall the bearing cap and valve cover.

If you have the seal expander, then its pretty easy to just slip it on.

To remove the old seals, I drill a little hole in the seal and put a metal screw in it about one turn, then pull on the screw. To do that on the rear seal usually takes a right angle drill. If you have the cam bearing cap removed, the seal will simply slip off.

 

[avatar28]

Is the cam bearing cap the piece that the CMPS bolts to?

 

[Irish Pride]

What part of Nashville? What color is your car?

 

[avatar28]

Just outside Bordeaux (near Briley and Ashland City Hwy). Car is green.

 

[rubydist]

Is the cam bearing cap the piece that the CMPS bolts to?

sort of. the cam sensor bolts to a spacer and the spacer bolts to the head at the cam bearing cap. that allows the cam bearing cap to come off without having to take off the spacer. however, to change the seal, the spacer needs to be removed also.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Another way I remove it is to drill 2 small holes 180deg apart and screw in dry wall screws. Then pull out. It has worked out for crank seals and main seals.

 

[avatar28]

Thanks. That's a useful tip. There should be a stickied thread with protips like that. But wouldn't drywall screws have a big chance of scratching the camshaft? They have coarse, sharp threads.

 

[Irish Pride]

Just outside Bordeaux (near Briley and Ashland City Hwy). Car is green.

Ok. I pass that way all the time coming back from Pull a Part. I live out in Hermitage. I see a silver SHO running around town all the time but it's always going the opposite direction. Was wondering if that might have been you. I'll be happy to give you a hand with it once it warms up a little. The Rotunda kit makes cam seal installation a breeze.

Look in the SHO related section for the thread about SHOnanigans. That's at my place and coming up in March. If you would like to meet other SHO guys it will be the perfect time.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Thanks. That's a useful tip. There should be a stickied thread with protips like that. But wouldn't drywall screws have a big chance of scratching the camshaft? They have coarse, sharp threads.

The screw would just go into the head not affecting anything. You don't need to go in far to work either.