Cam Sprockets

[stephen newberg]

Well, after a number of delays because one of the gaskets kept getting mislaid in shipment, my SHO goes in for its welding job today. Considering the list of other minor items I am giving them, I do not expect to get it back until tomorrow. But the Front Strut Tower Brace will be on and the car aligned for serious summer driving at the same time, so I am very much looking forward to getting it back and not having that minor hesitation in the back of your mind about the cams every time you put your foot down hard.

pax, smn

PS: We seem to have had a lot of duplicate posts showing up over the weekend. I have taken out the ones not being responded to and left one copy. Was something wrong on the server yesterday?

 

[MikeyP]

Definitely let us know how it went.. as you know I'm very interested. wink
Do you *need* to get a new gasket kit when you do the cams?.. for some reason I think I've already had mine replaced last year.
Great memory 'eh?
-M

 

[stephen newberg]

Kirk would be the best one to answer about the real need as per gaskets. I think he has mentioned that you do not have to replace them all, but I do not remember which. I am just doing so since it is not that much more money, all and all considered, and they have it apart anyway.

The actual welding is getting done today, they tell me. All the other things they have done now. I gave them a huge list. Hopefully I have the car back tomorrow evening. I will post an update after it is back on the road.

pax, smn

 

[SHOZ123]

You don't really need to replace the gaskets assuming they are intact after disassembly. The valve cover gaskets and plug seals usually are good. The steel intake gaskets will loose some paint. I spray clear high temp engine paint on them just prior to reassembly.

 

[stephen newberg]

Well, I went by the Ford shop yesterday to see how they were doing on my black beast. They had finished welding the camsprokets to the cams just earlier that morning and were starting cleaning runners before beginning to put her back together. Thenew plgs ere already in. There are still half a dozen other things to do as well, like ball joints and such, so she should be ready to SHO the world again tomorrow or so. Very nice weld job, with exceptionally clean joints. Of course, this means I will have to take her out and make sure she holds together at a fast approach to some very high velocity. I know just the spot.

pax, smn

 

[SHOWHAT9]

FWIW tonight I held in my hands a cam that had failed. The sprocket spun freely as if on a bicycle. I was guided through the damage the valaves inflicted on the pistons. For those that do not know me, it's a felony in the state of Illinois for me to hold a tool, other than....., at any rate, this cam sprocket thing, whether or not you agree with statistaical models, is just not acceptable. I have asked the donor to keep the cam for future reference, read lawsuit, but if you have a V8 skip the tires, and get those puppies, welded/pinned whatever your preference as soon as practical in terms of wallet.

 

[stephen newberg]

Though I think 'skipping the tires' is not a great idea if the tires are in need of replacing, otherwise I agree completely. It seems to me that getting the cam sprockets taken care of should be a normal item of the about 50,000 mile maintenance schedule. And then, if the class action suit eventually gets anywhere, perhaps Ford will eventually compensate us, so keep your receipts.

pax, smn

 

[jthomas68]

The rubber valve cover gaskets(including spark plug rings)can be cleaned at reused.The secondary throttle plate upper and lower gaskets are a crush type metal gasket.Once the plate is bolted onto the gaskets,it is crushed into the seal.I personally would never reuse it,especially the 3 part lower gasket.
Stephen-did you see the welds?On the front sprocket,the cam sprocket needs to be welded to the nut,which gets welded to the cam shaft.Do you have any pics of the weld locations?I`m curious as to how a dealer does on this job.