Do I need a weld?

[Izzmo]

Okay, I took the two valve covers off and it looks like my front cams are OKAY.

The back ones, well one looks like it is about to blow, but the bottom one looks fine.

Pictures:

Front Bottom: http://www.pod-networks.com/cams/Front_Bottom.JPG
Front Bottom #2: http://www.pod-networks.com/cams/Front_Bottom2.JPG
Front Top: http://www.pod-networks.com/cams/Front_Top.JPG
Rear Bottom: http://www.pod-networks.com/cams/Rear_Bottom.JPG
Rear Top: http://www.pod-networks.com/cams/Rear_Top.JPG

Thanks!

 

[ruWelded]

Weld YES!!!

You would be asking for trouble if you don't weld all four cams now. One thing you could do is pull the cams and send them to one of the best SHO cam welders. I think that a few of them offer this service. As far as pulling them and then re-timeing the engine, it can be done. But it will be a back breaker and a knuckle buster.

My 99 had the tick of death and I felt bad just starting it to put on the tow dolley. It had two bad cams and I welded all four.

 

[spee-d]

if you think they are gonna spin weld them all. spun cam=bent valves.

 

[Silvapain]

Your bank 1 intake cam is already loose. My recommendation: don't start the car again until you get those cams welded.

 

[Izzmo]

How much does a cam cost? (Ballparking it since each cam is different.)

 

[St Louis SHO]

I wouldnt replace it. Just have them welded. But a used one should cost you abotu $50 or so?

 

[Racer X]

Stop driving the car.

Get them welded, even if you have to send them somewhere to get welded.

 

[JoesSHO]

Agreed- that one's a timebomb... Dolly it to a SHO cam welder and have it fixed before it blows that cam.

 

[kikkinasphalt]

http://www.pod-networks.com/cams/Rear_Top.JPG

holy cow...

thats sooo close.

do not drive, weld asap

 

[SHOspazz92]

How much does a cam cost? (Ballparking it since each cam is different.)

If the Cam goes the engine is pretty much done for, Replacing the Cam that seperated from the cam sprocket will do nothing. Get the car welded.

-Sam

 

[Izzmo]

I never really thought about it.. but what in the world keeps the sprockets on the cam from the factory???

 

[JoesSHO]

A combination of friction and luck.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I never really thought about it.. but what in the world keeps the sprockets on the cam from the factory???

Magic.

And prayer.

But really, swages.

 

[kikkinasphalt]

I never really thought about it.. but what in the world keeps the sprockets on the cam from the factory???

witchcraft

 

[Racer X]

I never really thought about it.. but what in the world keeps the sprockets on the cam from the factory???

JB Weld.

Apparently, JB Weld isn't forever.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Tiny little splines that go SHOboom

 

[Silvapain]

JB Weld.

Apparently, JB Weld isn't forever.

No, it's a mechanical bond. The cams are assembled in a jig, with the hollow cam tube small enough in diameter that all the lobes and gear easily fit over it. Then a hardened steel ball is pulled through the hollow cam tube, and it stretches the tube and presses it into the lobes and gears. The lobes and gears have small teeth manufactured into the inner diameter, and these teeth keep everything in place. This process is fine for the lobes, which have only to press on one valve spring; but it's not strong enough to handle the stresses in the secondary drive gears. The min drive gears are bolted onto the cams, so that's not an issue.

 

[Mr. SHO]

Do NOT get the cams welded. I have a welded engine sitting here that I need to sell, and if you get your cams welded, then you won't have any need to write me a check for my engine in the immediate future. By all means, keep faith in Ford's design! I need to put food on the table, dammit! :laugh_ti:

 

[SuperHO]

Holy Shit.....all that needs to be said.

 

[Inkertinker]

I would, (if your car was running correctly... not ticking, knocking, and your cams are still in the correct place) Clean the area around where the cams and sprockets come together (so you get a good clean weld), remove the spark plugs (so you can turn the crankshaft with a wrench) Them hire a master welder to come to you house (car) and weld them without removing them. That is what I did. Take proper precautions to make sure slag and debris do not fall down into the engine.