New cam seal and finally fixed random bucking/stalling

[rbruso]

My rear cam seal has been leaking for a while, so I finally decided to fix it. I had been experiencing random bucking and stalling. The cam sensor likely wasn't the problem, but it was an issue that needed to be fixed.

Definitely leaky:

For Christmas, I got a fun little tool that turned out to be VERY helpful on this job:

That angle is perfect for pressing on a new seal using the cam seal installer (and seal spreader) from the T89P-6000-A set. It's much less scary than trying to balance a piece of PVC, a chunk of 2x4 and a pry bar like on shophoenix writeup:

While in there I also found I had managed to snap the lower mounting bold on the torque limiter by the belts. It was fine 30K ago when I did my last front 60K:

After all that the car still had the random bucking and stalling, though I noticed it was more pronounced when I hit a bump. So I popped the hood with the engine running and began smacking components. I got to the IRCM (CCRM?) and managed to stall the motor. No problem, as I have a spare. As I was beginning to remove it I found one of the big connectors was loose.

Seems that when I swapped the radiator last year I didn't snap that connector fully in and it had worked loose. Where's that facepalm smiley when you need it?

With the connector back in place she's running better than ever. :woo-hoo:

 

[NORMAN]

Nice thread. I need to do the same with my '89 I just picked up earlier this month. Can I ask you if you know the part number to that Sears Craftsman tool you have pictured? Many thanks!

 

[rbruso]

It's their 16" adjustable head prybar: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943296000P?prdNo=32&blockNo=32&blockType=G32

If you push in the red disk you can adjust the angle of the head. It can go from less than 45 degrees out to somewhere around 270 degrees.

I haven't put any serious stress on it to load test the adjustable head but it's done everything I have asked of it so far. I have a few non adjustable prybars of various lengths for really heavy duty tasks.

 

[NORMAN]

Thank you for a direct link to the pry bar tool. I have the link in my favorites folder now, since I might pick one up at a later time.

 

[SHOstuff]

Where did you get your cam seals and cam sensor seals from? Can you pick those up fom the local parts store?

 

[rbruso]

I've had them sitting around for a little while now. I actually had four cam seals on hand. Three came from a kit I got from rmcautomotive.com and one from the Ford parts counter.

The same seals are used for both cams behind the timing sprockets as well as the one behind the cam sensor. The part is pretty common, but I'd be surprised if a local parts store had them on hand.

Any of the SHO vendors would be able to hook you up with these seals.

 

[rbruso]

I just checked Autozone's site. The seals are not a normal stock item at my local store. Even weirder, they list the cam seal as "4 required". I guess you can "install" the fourth one in your toolbox in case you spring a leak later.

They also show "4 required" for the Kwik Sleeve.

 

[shonuffmine]

here.s a link for above mentioned face palm [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gZA_n3i-Tg

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gZA_n3i-Tg[/YOUTUBE]

 

[rbruso]

here.s a link for above mentioned face palm

That'll do.

 

[SHOstuff]

Ok. Thanks buddy!