Taking out the cam shafts

[Izzmo]

I just bought a used 97' SHO. It has the 'cam failure' noise. So, I'm not driving it until I get it welded.

Right now, I have the engine stripped down to the heads and I can see the Cam shaft's. Now, they don't look bad, no scraping, or any of that, but I wanted to know if there was anything I needed to know about before I take them out. If there is anything I need to do before taking them out, anything of that matter.

Also, when I weld them and put them back in, what do I need to do then? Just make sure they are aligned?

Finally, at what torque do the bolts have to go in? I didn't see anything on V8SHO.com relating to the bolts for the heads and/or anything inside.

Thanks!

 

[SHOZ123]

Weld them in place. Otherwise you will have to pull the front cover to retime it.

 

[Izzmo]

Oh

So, how hard do you think it would be for someone who has never welded a cam before? Although the person has welded many other things as he is a master welder for a metal fabrication company?

 

[Exitwound]

http://www.imperialinc.com/pdf/A_FastenerTorqueCharts.pdf

There is a proper torque value chart. Any time your screw is fasterning into aluminum you are always supposed to use the 8.8 or grade 5 torque value no matter what grage the bolt is.

 

[SHOZ123]

You better get a factory service manual if you are going to take the heads off. This will have all the torque values and the procedures. Head bolts are torque to yield and one time use only. The valves will need adjusted too once the head and cams are back on.

The timing procedure too is not hard but must be done correctly or you will damage the vales before you ever start the engine. There is a special factory tool set that includes the cam timing adjustment tools (though you can get by without these). The set will have half the valve adjusting tools. You will also need the bucket depressor that is found in the V6 SHO engine tool kit.

But if the cams are just coming out they need to have the bolts loosened in a specific pattern or you may warp the cams. This is documented in the service manual too.

Look for a Ford CD on eBay.

 

[Izzmo]

Dang, there is more to this than I thought. Oh boy.....

So, do I have to look for a specific Ford service manual for the SHO, is it related to all Taurus'?

Doing a quick search, would this be it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996...021QQitemZ310023557806QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

 

[SHOZ123]

On eBay just look for a '97 Ford car CD. It has all the info you need. Probably one at the eBay store of Midnight Auto Parts http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQ...htautopartsQQsspagenameZSTRKQ3aMEFSRCHQ3aSRCH or RCM has them too http://rcmautomotive.com/id27.html

 

[Izzmo]

Should I get the engine kit as well, or can I do it all without that? This is my first time messing around with the heads and cams.

Also, what's the difference between the '96, '98 and '99 manuals?

 

[SHOZ123]

Not much difference between the manuals year wise. But yoiu should get a '97. I can send you one if you're interested. PM me.

You definitely need the valve adjustment tools. These are at RCM. But the cam holders are nice to have for the chain replacement.

 

[Izzmo]

So, I need to get the Taurus/SHO/Sable Factory Service manual (Not the EVTM or PCED correct?) and then the tools?

How much will this run me?

 

[SHOZ123]

The CD has all the manuals on it.

Check with RCM about the cam tools.

 

[Izzmo]

Alright, thanks!

 

[Izzmo]

Well, I'm guessing you have to buy the full service kit... hmmm looks like it cost a couple hundred dollars, do you know?

 

[SHOZ123]

For the cam holding tools you have to get the full service set. But this does not contain one of the valve adjusting tools. You can get that individually from RCM.

 

[Izzmo]

Do you know how much the set costs and the tool?

 

[somedude_001]

it might be cheaper to tow the car to his shop to have it welded and then get it towed back. or flat tow your car if its not far.

 

[Izzmo]

Well.. I've already decided I'm going to just take out the cam's and just give them to him to weld.

The timing is not that hard when putting them back in there.