Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cam removal tools

[DThibault]

Is there an inexpensive way to hold up the followers to remove the cam? I have heard some prices on just the tools that are scary. I don't want to do this regularly so I don't really want to buy the kits. Thanks.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

1/2" diameter dowel pins about 11" or longer will work; chamfer one end and cut a hacksaw kerf about 1/2" deep in the end along the wood grain so it will flex easier and grip the inside of the lifter end. You can hold them up with wooden spring type clothes pins.

 

[DThibault]

Thanks, I may be dating myself but it sounds like I'll be using some home made Tinkertoy sticks. Good idea.

 

[Bob4x4]

:-laf my poor tinker toys are stained with old diesel oil

 

[DThibault]

I started to take out the AC evaporator with the intercooler and am held up by the little connector in the tubing which the manual says takes a special too. I did remove the cam part way after dropping the retainer plate in the oil pan and the front lobe is pointing straight up as if it was opening a valve. Aren't all valves on No. 1 to be closed when on TDC. I still haven't found why mt truck is out of time but if I am correct in my thinking the gear must have slipped on the cam. What do you think?

 

[tolmsted]

Heads up,

Use oak dowels for this job. Hard wood has more gripping power.
Voice of experience here. Don't ask how I know !

Soft wood dowels didn't grip for me.

Good luck.

 

[Bob4x4]

Interesting,I've been using the same old soft wood dowells for many years now

 

[ABennin]

You can carefully swing the AC evaporator up and hang it from the hood without unhooking the lines. Be careful not to kink them. The cam has a keyway in it. It would have to be sheared in order for the gear to spin on the shaft. When lashing the valves you can do both on #1 when at TDC, so yes they should be closed. You are sure it is at TDC? There is a mark on the injection pump gear that you line up with the line on the timing case cover on the 24 valves or there is a plug in the back of timing case under the injection pump on the 12 valves. But if you have the cam part way out its too late. You would have to reassemble. If the key way is sheared you would not get a true top dead center on #1. Getting the retainer out might require taking off the pan, which is not fun. If you are putting in tappets I used a piece of PVC cut in half to get them out. Getting them back in will test your nerves. I recently put a cam in my truck last year. Good luck.

 

[DThibault]

I ended up swinging the evaporator, I couldn't get the borrowed tool to work. My cam is scored on one of the middle journals and must have seized enough to make the gear spin. Hope to get to take that off today. More mysteries on whay this all happened. Thanks.

 

[LNaugle]

the cam has a keyway in it?

 

[ABennin]

That's what I call it. I could be wrong on the name.

 

[DThibault]

Yes, the cam has a keyway and my key was neatly sheared in half and the gear ad spun nearly half a turn throwin the whole thing out of time. now to dig deeper.

 

[Bob4x4]

Pull the engine get the cam bore line bored and install bushings... ... ... ...