Easy way to pop out cam seals? maybe?

[klobbs]

Hey guys, I'm doing my 60K upper and lower. Instead of fig
hting the cam seals, I found a couple ways to take them out easily, and wanted some thoughts on whether it was smart or not. For the top three, I just took the cam bracket off that goes around the end of the cam. The only problem now will be getting a good gasket back on there. Any ideas? I was just thinking regular RTV. For the main seal, I drilled a 1/16 inch hole right in the center, drove a screw in, grabbed the screw with visegrips, and it popped right out. I'm a pretty amateur mechanic, anyone see any problems with doing it this way? Thanks.

 

[93rev2sev]

With the drilling, it certainly works, but there's a very good chance:

A. of hitting the crank with a carbide tipped cutting device spinning at 2500RPM

B. of getting shavings from the seal's metal rim stuck in oil to the place where you are trying to make a seal

C. I'd have the hole punched, the screw threaded and the seal pulled in the time it takes to get from my seat to the tool box and back with a chucked-up 1/16th bit.

For the removing the cam caps...I don't have much bad to say about that. It prevents the possibility of scoring the cam...and those caps are a Betty to get clean when they're attached.

 

[jimtash]

There's a high temp RTV that's red in color (not the copper stuff) and that's what I used. You'll want to go back with a small brush and scrub out the oil galleys after putting the camshaft caps back on to make sure there's no RTV blocking them.

 

[rubydist]

I drill them all the time and have never had a problem. you do have to pay attention to what you are doing, but life is like that anyway....

 

[jthod]

gasket wise, Permatex Great Stuff is about the best stuff around. GM uses it as thier engine sealant on about every application now. (GM branded of course)

 

[Off Road SHO]

I normally punch and then screw in a screw but if you want to do the drilling, just coat the end of the drill bit with heavy grease and it will catch all of the chips.

Tom

 

[itwonder]

There's a proper tool for every job.

Don't get too excited, it won't work on the rear cam seal.

 

[klobbs]

hooped take

?? what tool is that and where can you get it?

 

[SHOtime2511]

Remove the first cam cap,it pops right out.
For the crank the drill and screw idea works fine,just take your time.

 

[SHOlover1]

go to the store get a scratch awl use force to put a hole in it then use a wood or drywall screw and pull it out

 

[itwonder]

?? what tool is that and where can you get it?

It's a Lisle #58430 Seal Puller. Google will find lots of sources. To repeat what I posted above in case anyone misses it, this tool won't work on that pesky rear cam seal because the housing recess is too deep. Works everywhere else.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPYW4K?tag=dvdmaailm