97 Cam problems

[PFA]

HI--new here.
I'm been looking through all the info here....maybe not all, but my eyes are hurting..I am looking into buying a 97 SHO with a bit over 100K miles. The cam sprocket has let go and there is no sign of compression on the front bank. I can get the vehicle at a rather good price to get it out of this guys hair. I have been trying to find info on the welding procedure of the cams, lining the sprocket up just right and so on. I am more of a DIY or have others that can do what I can't. I realize that there are bigger issues than just the cam, with no compression.
Is there a documented procedure on here (or the internet) to removing the engine, either top or bottom? Can the front head be removed while it is still in the car?
Thanks for any help in this. I know I can purchase a used engine in my surrounding area, but need to evaluate the situation from this standpoint first.

Thanks

 

[SASHO91]

Im not a big GIII guy,
but Im pretty sure your motor is toast. If the cam sprocket has let go, then the piston(s) have hit the valves... as these ARE interference motors.

Im sure the V8 guys will chime in about swapping motors...

sorry for the misfortune.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

All depends on how bad the damage is. My car was a cam failure that was rebuilt by Kirk of NESHO.

 

[PFA]

Thanks
But, can the head be pulled with the engine still in the car? Has anyone documented the cam welding or engine removal? I saw one picture of the front of the car raised to remove the engine from the bottom, but it didn't show how the car was raised. I'd like to see that...

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Once a cam has spun, you have to replace it, you can't just re-weld the sprocket back into place. On the replacement cam as well as the remaining cams, you just weld the sprockets to the tubes. There is some information over on http://www.v8sho.com about the process, but having seen a few dozen botched "DIY" jobs, I wouldn't recommend it.

Engine has to come out the bottom. Best bet is to buy a Helms manual http://www.helminc.com which is the OE service manual. A front head can be done in the car, but the time you "save" will be lost several times over trying to get it apart, repaired, put back together, timed correctly, and running with it in the car. Figure about 12 labor hours doing a motor swap, and about 40 to do it in the car.

A chassis lift makes removing the engine out the bottom quite easy.

Remember, most of these cars sell for about $3500-$4500 running. A $500 car (as an example) isn't always a good deal when you end up spending $5000 to get it back on the road.

 

[PFA]

Thanks for the info..
I have been looking on V8sho.com. The info doesn't quite jump out at ya. There is alot of info there.
I didn't realize that you had to replace the cam once the sprocket spins. I don't have access to a hoist. I was hoping that there has been someone on here, or have seen elsewhere, how someone may have done this in their own garage. I have pulled engines before, but not from the bottom. I guess something could be rigged to lift the car up to drop the motor out.
As for the welding, I have a friend that is great at welding. I'd trust anything to his work.
If I have to get a used engine, I could do that. I will check into the helms manual. Thanks

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Thanks for the info..
I have been looking on V8sho.com. The info doesn't quite jump out at ya. There is alot of info there.
I didn't realize that you had to replace the cam once the sprocket spins. I don't have access to a hoist. I was hoping that there has been someone on here, or have seen elsewhere, how someone may have done this in their own garage. I have pulled engines before, but not from the bottom. I guess something could be rigged to lift the car up to drop the motor out.
As for the welding, I have a friend that is great at welding. I'd trust anything to his work.
If I have to get a used engine, I could do that. I will check into the helms manual. Thanks

A handful of people (Carter F. is the main one who comes to mind) have done the motor swap in their driveway without a lift, but I really, really, wouldn't recommend it. Too much chance to accidently die.

 

[crixtopher]

Too much chance to accidently die.

:laugh_ti:

 

[ruWelded]

Engine From The Top

I installed my engine from the top.

Goto this link for my details: http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/EBayCamFailure538542.htm

This was a very time consuming effort and it was ******* my back. I'm not sure if I would do it again.

Although I am very happy with my 96 ES now.


Brad
ruWelded

 

[PFA]

Thanks for the info. I definately don't have a lift to use. I will have to try and look Carter up.
The info on the top installation sounds...bad. I'd like to make it simple as possible. I need to see what was done to lift it up.
This one was posted on another board for me...but it doesn't show how it was lifted.

http://www.burris-computing.com/SHO/EngineRemoval/IMG_0652.jpg

 

[PFA]

Thanks for the info. I definately don't have a lift to use. I will have to try and look Carter up.
The info on the top installation sounds...bad. I'd like to make it simple as possible. I need to see what was done to lift it up.
This one was posted on another board for me...but it doesn't show how it was lifted.

 

[ArkanSHO]

Thanks for the info. I definately don't have a lift to use. I will have to try and look Carter up.
The info on the top installation sounds...bad. I'd like to make it simple as possible. I need to see what was done to lift it up.
This one was posted on another board for me...but it doesn't show how it was lifted.

Wow, a concrete floor! How fancy can you get?

 

[naval-avi8or]

This one was posted on another board for me...but it doesn't show how it was lifted.

I have just completed an engine swap in my SHO in my two car garage. No problems. I used a cherry picker/engine hoist that I picked up at SAMS Club.

To remove it I disconnected everthing, removed the wheels and tires, then supported the subframe, engine and tranny on some 2X2 blocks and hoisted the front of the car up until I could slide the engine out. At that piont you could secure it on a good st of jack stand or remove the engine and let the car back down until reinstalling the motor.

For installation I purchased (from SAMS club) an ATV/motorcycle jack/Lift. I used it to support the subrame, angine and tranny which made it much easier to wheel around and position.

All in all very easy and safe if you lift the vehicel and secure it with jackstands as a saftey measure. BTW because the motor and tranny came from a different vehicel I had to do this process three times. First time i lifted the car up with just jacks and blocked it up on railroad ties. THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE AND STUPID I NEVER DID NOR WILL EVER DO IT AGAIN. As mentioned in earlier post I with the exception of accidently it is a good way to DIE.

Curtis

 

[PFA]

I want to thank everyone for all the feedback you've given me. It's been very helpful. If I decide to go ahead with this, I will take pics and keep you updated.
Thanks