Camshaft(s) - Should I be concerned?

[Rockledge]

First and foremost I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah!!

I figured I would post this before I leave the house this morning since it's on my mind right now.

Some of you may have read my recent thread concerning a broken timing belt on my 3.0L. I bounced the situation off of a few people and one of the good questions that was raised was whether the belt might have failed because of a bad camshaft bearing.

Now I quickly looked through my Ford Manual and it talks a lot more about the camshaft journal caps than it does about the bearing(s). However, it does say this:

"The No. 5 cylinder head camshaft journal caps function as thrust bearings for the camshaft."

So anyone have any insight on this? Is it possible for a bad camshaft bearing and/or journal to cause the belt to get bound up and thereby cause the belt teeth to get ground up like hamburger by the crank sprocket? Is the SHO known for camshaft issues?

Or is it in all likelihood simply a result of a loose and/or bad timing belt to begin with?

Thanks in advance for any feedback. Again, my best wishes to everyone this holiday season!! thumb

<small>[ December 25, 2003, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: Rockledge ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

Most likely the failure was due to improperly set tension on the TB. As I recall, you indicated that it appeared that there had been somewhat recent maintenance on the front of your engine prior to your acquisition of the car.

I wouldn't worry about the cams. I don't recall any reports of similar failures in any posts here.


Merry Christmas to all!

Steve

 

[Mike Kopstain]

That belt is strong.

We had a car that was underlubed and had a cam sieze, then break, and the belt was still fine.

Chances are your belt was just sufficiently worn.

 

[Rockledge]

Thanks for the replies.

Regarding the cams, I'm thinking about changing the seals ...do you think that it's a worthwhile endeavor? The Ford Manual shows special tools being used to remove and install the cam seals (and the front crank seal as well)...any tricks to doing it without having those tools?

As I recall, you indicated that it appeared that there had been somewhat recent maintenance on the front of your engine prior to your acquisition of the car.

Yes Steve, the waterpump on my SHO is quite "newish" looking and the visible edges of the gasket are fresh. In fact, some people might think I'm foolish but I have decided not to change it out despite having the front apart right now. Has nothing to do money, either, because the pumps are cheap, I know that. But I'm just going to check the torque on the retaining bolts (12-17 lb-ft per my Ford Manual) and that's all.

 

[luigisho]

Screws and pliers?

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Rockledge:

Regarding the cams, I'm thinking about changing the seals ...do you think that it's a worthwhile endeavor? The Ford Manual shows special tools being used to remove and install the cam seals (and the front crank seal as well)...any tricks to doing it without having those tools?

Completely worthwhile. Replace them while you are in there.

Removal:
A small drill bit, a drill, and a steady hand can drill a hole in the seal. Thread a screw into the hole, then pull on the screw with a set of pliers to remove the seal. careful to not scratch the camshaft.

install:
Lighty **** the inside of the new seal, and carefully slip it back into place. A large socket will help seat the new seal nicely.

 

[Rockledge]

Got my cam seals today via FedEx which I had ordered on the 25th from RockAuto, along with a new timing belt and crank seal. Pretty quick service, if you ask me, with the holidays and all. thumb

So I will be tackling the front cam seals tomorrow using my Dremel tool and a few screws for the removal part of the job. Since I don't have an appropriate socket to use, I will be using the PVC pipe/rubber mallet method to install the new seals. I measured the new ones and it looks like a piece of 1-3/4" pipe will do the trick.

Also, I notice that Fel-Pro gives you 3 front cam seals in the box. Last time I counted, there are only two cams on the Yamaha engine. So, am I missing something here? shrug

<small>[ December 27, 2003, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: Rockledge ]</small>

 

[TYSHO]

Rockledge:
Also, I notice that Fel-Pro gives you 3 front cam seals in the box. Last time I counted, there are only two cams on the Yamaha engine. So, am I missing something here? shrug

The SHO has 4 camshafts, but only require 3 seals; 2 behind the cam sprockets and 1 behind the camshaft sensor. When you're breaking the bolts loose on the cam sprockets and tightening, it's not a bad idea to hold it with a strap wrench or old timing belt. I never thought about it at the time when I did my seals, but maybe it'd be a good idea just to bust the 6 cam sprocket bolts loose before you relieve the tension off the timing belt and remove it. And to add to that, an air ratchet won't bust them loose!

 

[Rockledge]

Thanks TYSHO, I meant to say 2 FRONT cams but you get the point. thumb Now some of the things I've been reading make a lot more sense ...the third seal is for behind the cam sensor. doh

Your suggestion about removing the sprockets is an excellent one, and guess what, I did it exactly that way today when I removed them! I used the larger of the 2 Craftsman strap wrenches that I recently picked up (they came as a set) to hold the timing sprockets steady while I broke loose all the retaining bolts on them. It was easy to get the strap around each sprocket since my timing belt is off already (long story). Real simple technique and worked great.

So I'm good to go first thing tomorrow morning with the seals, and now I know what that third seal is for!

beer

<small>[ December 27, 2003, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: Rockledge ]</small>

 

[pjtoledo]

It kinda sounds like few people know the technique of using an over sized box wrench and a socket to loosen/tighten the bolts on a pulley that is difficult to hold on to.

Perry