Camshaft Replacement

[Matt400]

I think this is why I will get someone to install my cam for me :-laf

:-laf :-laf I will have pics uploaded so you can learn from my mistakes if you change your mind.



I did find this document from this company that states this:

Upper Valve Train Assembly

Rocker shafts - installed with TEI-xxx toward the front of the engine.

Crossheads – Dot on top side / long slot toward the exhaust manifold.

So I guess I will do that and straighten them out.

 

[Matt400]

I wouldn't be too concerned about lift. It can be decieving with variations in shaft diameter etc taken into account.

Thanks. . I do feel better now cuz now I see there IS a huge difference in not only shaft diameter but also the lobe thickness which would account for a major change of the stroke the lobe puts on the push rod.

 

[Jeff_K]

:-laf :-laf I will have pics uploaded so you can learn from my mistakes if you change your mind.

Well, if you do a nice write up with lots of pictures like sag2's injector replacement thread then I might reconsider

 

[Matt400]

Well, if you do a nice write up with lots of pictures like sag2's injector replacement thread then I might reconsider

That was a great "how to" write up but I am still in the stone age, I haven't figured out how to write text on the pics yet.



In case anyone is interested pressing the cam an additional . 040" corrected the trouble. There is no magnet, just a series of drilled holes in the back of the gear and the clearance was too great for the sensor to read.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Good deal - I'm glad you got it figured out! So how does it run?

 

[Matt400]

It has a different tone at idle, hard to explain. . not any more or less noise. Throttle response seems more crisp, I think the turbo is building boost sooner. On the highway it feels good.

My truck is all stock except for the cam and a 3 degree advance on the tone ring so no more fuel is being added, just a change in the air flow & timing.

It will be interesting to see if the mpg's improve any.

 

[RKerner]

Updates? Mileage Check?

Time to revive this thread. Do you still have this truck with the Piers Cam? What have you logged in mileage changes? Any towing numbers? Inquiring minds need to know. Oo.

 

[WAnderstrom]

I too would be interested to hear some results!

 

[Matt400]

My truck was only 9 months old when I did this so the mileage is hard to figure when you know the engine was not even broke in yet.



I have 34,500 on it now. Running good still and gets 20 mpg in 50-60 mph mountain road driving. Thats hand calc.

Towed 6000 lbs with it last weekend in very steep grades, 1st and 2nd gear stuff & performance was good, feels the same as my 03 SO with VA box on level 3.

Mileage towing has been 14.

 

[Grieke]

Hi Matt400

What kind of truck (year, auto... . etc) did you replace the cam in?

Thanks.

 

[DrDeltic]

Quick question:
'04 1/2 common rail CAM REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT - how with engine in chassis? Can't remove # 5&6 pushrods in this truck
how did you?

 

[cerberusiam]

Quick question:
'04 1/2 common rail CAM REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT - how with engine in chassis? Can't remove # 5&6 pushrods in this truck
how did you?

Yes you can. There are plastic\rubber plugs in the firewall lip that allow the pushrods to go high enough for removal.

 

[DrDeltic]

next question

Yes you can. There are plastic\rubber plugs in the firewall lip that allow the pushrods to go high enough for removal.

Thank you!
Appreciate your "been there..."
firewall area covered with sound-deadening materials so did not see what you refer to.
Next question:
how did you lift/retain cam followers to clear cam lobes and journals?

 

[cerberusiam]

Wooden dowels with the tips shaved down to fit fairly tight in the push rod pocket, just have to fit snug, then pull them to the limit of the up movement and rubber band adjacent dowels to hold them up.

 

[DrDeltic]

Nice practical wisdom

Wooden dowels with the tips shaved down to fit fairly tight in the push rod pocket, just have to fit snug, then pull them to the limit of the up movement and rubber band adjacent dowels to hold them up.

Thank you again.
Yep, found the oval plugs, just as you said. Pushrods almost "fell out"
This has been a confidence-builder for this site.
I Look at these sites and usually get lost or realize the lack of knowlege/experience.
Much of the time is a waste, normally. Not this time. I was ready to pull the head!
Really appreciate your contribution to my questions. On the way, now. Thank you.

 

[sag2]

The best way is to use a hack saw and saw a cut a half inch or so down the 1/2" dowel. Then you can force it into the lifter and it compresses the dowel where the cut is to hold the dowel in the lifter. Also when you take the cam out be very careful not to bump the lifters with the cam on the way out. Once out, insert a piece of PVC pipe (about 2" if I recall, measure the cam journal) into the block until your ready to reinstall the cam. Then if something happens the lifters will not fall into the crankcase.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have a set of Dowels that I chamfered. the end slightly then cut like SAG described.There a bit stained after over 20 years of use,The first time you try it you will be a bit nervous

 

[Tinman]

I bought a tappet from Cummins before I did the cam change so I could make sure the dowels fit. $10 IIRC. I used a large wooden dowel to stick in the journals while the cam was out to
keep tappets out of the oil pan if something happened.

 

[DrDeltic]

sag2,
thank you. Used PVC 1 1/2" schedule 40 to keep tappets where they belong. Nice tip. And made good sense.
got another question now
04.5 cam/gear back together. All new gears, new oil pump.
Repair originally started on truck that died on freeway 200-miles from home. Quit when shop was at $7000+ Estimate to get going. Still DOA. Owner a little frustrated. Towed home.
cranking, should i "see" crank and cam signal waveforms on scan tool? Not there and suspect wiring issues, but don't know if they should be accessible during cranking.
Posted request for ecm/pcm pinouts, wiring diagrams/info this morning.

 

[sag2]

Yes, cranking or running you will see cam and crank pattern on lab scope.