Pinto Car Club of America

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: rokarolla on September 30, 2006, 08:40:09 PM

Title: Can I remove the cam without taking off the head? The books say I can...but
Post by: rokarolla on September 30, 2006, 08:40:09 PM
PLEASE!! Help a newbie at the crossroads out.

Case:
1978 Pinto Cruiser Wagon
4 speed / 2.3 litre 2300
O.H cam 4 cyl engine

Problem: Had a tap/knock
Visual Inspection Revealed: 2 Soft cam lobes, one so bad it was almost pointy. At least one dead lifter.
Status: Have a head, but because of location and experience, much prefer to take out the cam, and have already removed all lifters and followers.
Complication: Cam will not clear the radiator bracket and body. I have dropped the radiator and the still is insufficient clearance.
My Question: If I remove the Grill/Headlight bezel assy can I also remove the radiator bracket frame and the structural body members behind it?
Thanks a bunch!
Title: Re: Can I remove the cam without taking off the head? The books say I can...but
Post by: CHEAPRACER on October 01, 2006, 12:21:18 AM
Not sure on the 78, but my 74 came out just fine with no cutting of any support. 
Title: Re: Can I remove the cam without taking off the head? The books say I can...but
Post by: Srt on October 01, 2006, 03:10:54 AM
why not raise the motor?
Title: Re: Can I remove the cam without taking off the head? The books say I can...but
Post by: earthquake on October 01, 2006, 08:39:00 AM
Ditto on raising the motor.
Title: Re: Can I remove the cam without taking off the head? The books say I can...but
Post by: rokarolla on October 01, 2006, 12:50:18 PM
So between this group and the Yahoo Pinto group I have 2 suggestions to raise the motor, and 2 to drop the tranny mounting bracket therby tipping the front of the engine up. I think I'm going to try the tipping method. I'm kind of surprised neither my 1977 Chiltons, nor my Haynes 1975-1980 books cover this in greater (did I say greater? I meant ANY)
detail. Any more suggestions? All are welcome, You can safely assume that I don't really know what I'm doing (but I can read and follow instructions). Thanks for all the input so far, folks, much appreciated! -Dylan
Title: Re: Can I remove the cam without taking off the head? The books say I can...but
Post by: 77turbopinto on October 01, 2006, 01:59:41 PM
I have jacked up the motor for to r/r the cam on a 2.3. To do it I needed to drop the radiator down, but you can leave all the hoses and lines on it. Also, I just removed the though bolt on the pass. side M/M; Very easy to do.

Bill
Title: Re: Can I remove the cam without taking off the head? The books say I can...but
Post by: rokarolla on October 01, 2006, 02:52:58 PM
oooh, sounds good. So I need to pull the through bolt on the motor mount, and that is on the passenger side, and then I just put a jack under the engine and raise it an inch or so? What is the most advantageous place to locate the jack?
Sorry for the rudimentery questions..and thanx a lowt 4 th help
Title: Re: Can I remove the cam without taking off the head? The books say I can...but
Post by: earthquake on October 01, 2006, 08:45:32 PM
A 2x4 tailing between the oil pan and the jack does nicely,it adds cushin and displaces weight across the pan.Do not put it under the drain plug,place it just ahead of it.