Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) What do I need to know about changing a camshaft?

[RSchwarzli]

Thinking of a camshaft swap for the crew cab. What is involved with the swap? Any special tools or knowledge needed?



I may have the head off for O ringing so I am thinking that would be the time.



Robert

 

[snappy]

Yes, you need to buy or make a camshaft removal tool. Going from memory so:

12 wooden dowels about 1/2 inch round, length varies

sharpen them on on end like a pencil and use a hacksaw blade to put a slit in this end

metal trough (exhaust pipe) 36 inches long about 2 1/4 or so. It must be smaller that camshaft journal size

the trough must have a slit down the middle that is wide enough to accommodate the tappet, about an inch wide

A string with a pointed plug

a hook tool, used to catch the above string

strong nerves help the first time you do t.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I agree with snappy except dont sharpen the dowels like a pencil you need the width to bind in the lifters. just put a slight bevel on the end to guide it into the lifter. I was very intimidated but it was not near as bad as I thought it was going to be. Another thing is make sure not to forget to remove the lift pump before you try to pull the cam

 

[SRadke]

If you aren't changing the tappets all you need is the dowels, none of the tray/string/hook,etc.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The procedures were covered in TDR Issue 33, with photos. Since that issue is not available on the TDR website, here is a summary of the procedures.

CHANGING THE CAMSHAFT



Briefly, the steps are these:



1. drain coolant and discharge air conditioning refrigerant

2. remove front bumper

3. remove windshield washer reservoir

4. remove oil filler assembly from gear housing cover

5. remove fan shroud bolts and fan

6. remove radiator

7. remove air conditioning condenser

8. remove transmission oil cooler or move it to the side

9. remove intercooler

10. remove upper core support

11. loosen fan pulley bolts, remove serpentine belt

12. remove fan hub

13. remove crankshaft balancer

14. remove gear housing cover



To remove the camshaft, you need to perform the following steps next.



1. remove fuel transfer pump (12 valve engines)

2. remove valve cover(s)

3. remove rockers and pushrods (keep them in order for reassembly into the same positions)

4. install wooden dowels into lifter cups, retain with clothes pins

5. remove cam retainer plate, pull camshaft out of engine block

6. install lifter removal/installation trough into camshaft bore in block

7. remove wooden dowels one at a time, pull lifters out through the trough

8. using a string with a stopper on the end, pull a new lifter through the trough and up into place in the block

9. rotate the trough 180 degrees, pull out the string, install a wooden dowel and clothes pin

10. repeat steps 8&9 eleven times

11. remove trough and reinstall camshaft

12. reassemble truck

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I was able to do the job on mine without disconnecting the trans cooler or AC condensor. If you are carefull you can pull them out of the way without damaging anything and save yourself the hasle of recharging the system

 

[RSchwarzli]

Thanks guys! Thats great!



Joe,



Thats great as well! I like step by step!



Question. Do you know the Miller/Snap On/Cummins etc part numbers for the tools I will need?



Thanks!

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I was able to di the job without any specialty tools. The only specialty tools you would need would be a camshaft intallation kit if you don't want to make your own and a timing tool set if you want to change the timing. It really doesn't pay to buy these tools unless you plan on doing a lot more cams and timing jobs.

 

[sp_longhorn]

Amen to that. 1/2 wooden dowels work perfectly fine with rubber bands, zip ties, or clothes pins to hold them up. Main thing is to check cam lobes for timing purposes when reinstalling. I had to take mine down again because my dumb a didn't pay enough attention to it.

 

[snappy]

Cam install kit: Miller #8502

Snap-On Timing kit: #SP500

I like to find #1 top dead center before pulling the cam.

 

[WaynesWorld]

Joe D,



Good write up.

1 thing about the gear removal from the cam shaft was omitted. :-{}

It wasn't bad but just tedious.



WAYNES WORLD

 

[RSchwarzli]

Thanks guys!



I will let you know in the next day or so. Cam is here, tappets arrived, making a pipe in the morning, and got pictures off the part numbers!