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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: dave1987 on February 16, 2008, 11:50:05 PM

Title: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: dave1987 on February 16, 2008, 11:50:05 PM
How hard is it to do this? My older brother cut a notch in the front of the car, in front of the radiator, so he could remove the cam without taking the head off the block. If I drop the radiator down I could do it. The only thing I'm worried about is compressing the valve springs and inserting new hydraulic lifters.
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: Pintony on February 17, 2008, 12:39:32 AM
Esslinger makes a tool that pushed the spring down a bit so you can take the rocker out.

Once that is done it is easy to install new lifters.
you could also use 2 big screwdrivers or make your own tool.


From Pintony
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: Srt on February 17, 2008, 01:54:48 AM
you can't if it's a 2.0
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: earthquake on February 17, 2008, 08:31:57 AM
As for a tool to remove the rockers a pickle fork for tie rod ends works perfect.You can R@R a rocker in about 3 seconds,and the whole thing in about 3 to 4 min.the reason it takes so long is you have to stop to rotate the cam a couple of times.I'll try to post photos on the how to.You'll never use anything else,it's that easy.
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: Pintony on February 17, 2008, 09:16:22 AM
Quote from: srt on February 17, 2008, 01:54:48 AM
you can't if it's a 2.0

Hey dave1987,

I think SRT is saying that the 2.0 cam comes out the rear of the head.
But then again you do not change lifters on the 2.0...


From Pintony
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: 77turbopinto on February 17, 2008, 09:34:59 AM
Quote from: dave1987 on February 16, 2008, 11:50:05 PM
How hard is it to do this? My older brother cut a notch in the front of the car, in front of the radiator, so he could remove the cam without taking the head off the block. If I drop the radiator down I could do it. The only thing I'm worried about is compressing the valve springs and inserting new hydraulic lifters.

You don't have to notch anything if you lift the engine slightly and pull the cam gear off.


Bill
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: FCANON on February 17, 2008, 10:04:41 AM
I've owned two 2.0 Pintos with the firewalls cut and peeled back where some meat head pulled the cam out the radio hole in the dash, After all these years I figured it was Tony.  :lol:

On the 2.3L I remove the gear and pull the bolt on the drivers side motor mount and lift the engine to pull the cam out. I have a small ratchet with a phillips socket to remove the retainer without molesting the car or removing the head...
Think it out and you'll be fine. Inspect the cam bearings closely while the cam is out...and make sure its oiling properly before you take it apart.

Best of Luck
FrankBoss
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: crazyhorse on February 17, 2008, 02:14:25 PM
On a 2300 a 19mm wrench is the ultimate rocker arm removal/installation tool.
To remove the rockers: use the wrench to rock it off the lifters. There's a blocky part just inside the lifter bowl, that's 19mm wide. Time, 0.5-1sec
to install: line up the rocker under the cam, use the wrench to lever the rocker up onto the lifter. Time, 1-2sec
Add in turning the cam with the same wrench, 10-15sec Total rocker installation in under 1 min.

I just did this 2 weeks ago in my Pinto w/2300

You have to unbolt the engine mounts and raise the engine to remove the cam. You also have to remove 3 of the 4 radiator mounting bolts and let the rad droop.

NOTE: be very careful removing the cam so you don't nick the bearings.
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: High_Horse on February 17, 2008, 04:13:35 PM
Quote
I've owned two 2.0 Pintos with the firewalls cut and peeled back where some meat head pulled the cam out the radio hole in the dash.

:lol:

                                                                                               High_Horse
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: dave1987 on February 17, 2008, 09:47:31 PM
I will post the notch cut on the car when I post some more pictures in my restoration thread in the projects sub-forum here.

Come to think of it, isn't there a cam retainer on the back of the rear cam tower that is secured by two phillips head screws???

I'm guessing I will need to install a new oil seal in the front cam tower as well?

Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: earthquake on February 17, 2008, 10:13:39 PM
Quote from: crazyhorse on February 17, 2008, 02:14:25 PM
On a 2300 a 19mm wrench is the ultimate rocker arm removal/installation tool.
To remove the rockers: use the wrench to rock it off the lifters. There's a blocky part just inside the lifter bowl, that's 19mm wide. Time, 0.5-1sec
to install: line up the rocker under the cam, use the wrench to lever the rocker up onto the lifter. Time, 1-2sec
Add in turning the cam with the same wrench, 10-15sec Total rocker installation in under 1 min.

I just did this 2 weeks ago in my Pinto w/2300

You have to unbolt the engine mounts and raise the engine to remove the cam. You also have to remove 3 of the 4 radiator mounting bolts and let the rad droop.

NOTE: be very careful removing the cam so you don't nick the bearings.
Same way the pickle fork works,Cool another way to do it.
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: Srt on February 18, 2008, 03:21:12 AM
Quote from: Pintony on February 17, 2008, 09:16:22 AM
Hey dave1987,

I think SRT is saying that the 2.0 cam comes out the rear of the head.
But then again you do not change lifters on the 2.0...


From Pintony

I missed the lifters mentioned in the original post sorry.  it was a long day and the vodka/tonic was working its magic :drunk:
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: Pintony on February 18, 2008, 10:21:40 AM
Quote from: FCANON on February 17, 2008, 10:04:41 AM
I've owned two 2.0 Pintos with the firewalls cut and peeled back where some meat head pulled the cam out the radio hole in the dash.

Best of Luck
FrankBoss

Hey Archie Bunker OH! I mean Frank,
I think it is time to buy a 2.0 head bolt removal tool!!!! ;D
From Pintony
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: 77turbopinto on February 18, 2008, 10:45:33 AM
Quote from: Pintony on February 18, 2008, 10:21:40 AM
Hey Archie Bunker OH! I mean Frank,
I think it is time to buy a 2.0 head bolt removal tool!!!! ;D
From Pintony


I think he bought them that way....  I could be wrong.....  hope not....


Bill
Title: Re: Changing cams w/the head still mounted
Post by: FCANON on February 18, 2008, 11:24:24 AM
Yah I bought them that way...My Dad a retired Ford mechanic said some Mechanics did that to save parts cost... Nothing that he practiced but most  older mechanics thought of them as crap cars.
I fount two of them..one looked to be torched open.
I have the head bolt tool...Bought it at NAPA I think its a Lesly brand tool.

FrankBoss