Youtube weld vid

[j.bsho]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_8ZlD968po

 

[newshofan]

Does anybody know where I can get that sheet from with the timing info?

Interesting vid by the way.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

A for effort, D for execution.

The timing diagram is here on the forum somewhere, but don't ask me where. Otherwise it's right in the shop manual which you can get in paper or CD/DVD on eBay etc.

As the video demonstrates, you don't want to waste your time fixing a spun cam in the car when there are already bent valves; nor do you want to just weld a spun sprocket back on the shaft without being able to verify not only that it's in time, but that it's been welded back in place true.

One of these days, Kirk and I will get around to making a cam weld video.

 

[newshofan]

My cams need to be welded. I would be glad to donate my car to the cause of making a vid of the cam weld process. I don't know that I can wait till tax season again to have them done.

 

[SeanMc]

I see a future NESHO customer.

 

[kevinspann]

Video says the car is a 99, the cluster does not. Unless early 99s have the earlier cluster.

 

[Fordtaurussho]

it isnt a 99 from what i can see, 99's didnt have power antennas or yellow turn signals on the rear, and the diagram he used is from mitchell on demand, my shop uses it all the time

 

[newshofan]

Thanks. I wish I had the money to take it up to NESHO to weld the cams. Been thinking about Doug lewis. But the cost is not much different I'm looking in to finding a good welder I know a few people that weld for a living but no one has there own welder. I think me and another person could do all the mechanical work. But you still have to have the money to pay the people helping you. Much rather have some perform the service that has done it a bunch.

 

[Liquid_force]

I would call local/area machine shops. Explain your situation. If they can't do it, or don't feel comfortable doing it there is a good chance they will know of a shop or person who can/will do it.
This is not a major under-taking for an engine person who knows his way around a welder.

A few years ago when these cars were of significant value I could see paying the premium for a SHO expert. In these days of ~1500 cars I don't see the point when you can have it done for $100 or less if you do the wrenching yourself -- and learn a lot about the engine in the process.

 

[St Louis SHO]

Yeah, let some Guy who knows nothing about SHO motors throw slag around inside your engine.

Dislike.

 

[Liquid_force]

right, because that's what a competent welder who knows something about engines would do.

 

[newshofan]

I don't have an issue with taking it to a reputable welder as long as they know not to go crazy on my motor. I think me and someone who works withs cars evryday was to tackle the mechanical work we could get it done. But the plus with taking it to an experienced shop that has done it many times is if they run into something else along the way they would know what to do. They could also give you advice on other things that need to be done or since their already to a certain point go ahead and fix the other problem. I would much rather take it to a professional. But if it comes to money which it always does. I would like to have everything printed out pictures and all of the process to show a welder and a mechanic and let them tackle it. If I could get it done for half the cost that would give me the money to buy a set of coil packs and still be at or under the cost of having it done by a professional.

 

[Liquid_force]

But if it comes to money which it always does. I would like to have everything printed out pictures and all of the process to show a welder and a mechanic and let them tackle it. If I could get it done for half the cost that would give me the money to buy a set of coil packs and still be at or under the cost of having it done by a professional.

That's what I did. The welder actually asked for whatever info I could give him in order to do it right. The shop was an auto machine shop. They do a lot of head/engine work on race cars. Actually the guy wasn't a welder by trade. He was a good mechanic that could weld.
He had heard of the cam issue but that's it.
It took an hour. I was there. I even did some of the prep and he ok'd it before beginning the welds. Cost was $60. The learning experience alone was worth about that.
I have 11k on it since the welds.

 

[St Louis SHO]

Heh.. Ive seen the aftermath of these guys who are mechanics that can weld.

Just sayin'

 

[newshofan]

So theretically any shop that can time the car and knows how to weld could do this. I can clean all the intake and resael the gaskets myself if I had too

 

[Liquid_force]

So theretically any shop that can time the car and knows how to weld could do this. I can clean all the intake and resael the gaskets myself if I had too

I didn't really want to say this, but I am... The cam welds do NOT require neurosurgeon-like precision those making $800-1000 a pop would like you to believe it does.

Is it EASY? No.
Does CARE need to be taken? Of course.
Should any random hack backyard welder with a wire-feed be allowed within 20' of your car? Uh, no.

CLEARLY very few people on the planet possess the expertise and skill that James here believes he has.
FORTUNATELY, this is not a procedure that requires the world's BEST welding skill and automotive, more specifically SHO prowess.

NewSHO -- there would only be gains to be made by making a few calls to some local machine or weld shops. Explain the situation. Ask some questions. See if they express any interest in the job. There is a chance you will find someone that's done the procedure before. My own personal mechanic had done one before.
If you find some interest feel them out. Make them convince you they're capable of doing the job. If they haven't done it before and you can offer them some pics, and/or weld specs from people that have done it before (v8sho.com) I would expect them to welcome that.

If you don't feel comfortable with anyone don't do it.

 

[newshofan]

I do agree with the people that are sceptical of just anyone working on there there car especially welding something like cams on the inside of the motor. I am very cautios of just letting anyone work on my car which Is why I like to see if I can do it first, if I think I'm getting over my head I explore the options of someone else doing it.

There are many shops around chattanooga. I have a few shops I think I can call as well as some friends that may know of a few others. If I can't find someone I feel comfortable with or done cheap enough than when I get the money ill go visit Doug at FPS. There only about two hours from me anyways. Question does it have to be a mig welder? Or can a stick welder be used as well?

 

[Liquid_force]

stick would leave slag that would have to be chipped off. It would be a mess. I would not go that route. It should be mig or tig.

 

[stephen newberg]

Excellent posts from Liquid Force all along. Well done, guy.

pax, smn

 

[newshofan]

Thanks I figured it would have to be mig weled. I have used a stick welder and it always seems you have to do a lot of clean up to make the welds look nice. Are all the pics and v8sho? If not if someone could email me. Some pics etc that would be great. I know there are pics on nesho.com of a properly welded cam. And the teardown process is also on v8sho.