Camshaft removal Options

[Arsaces]

Hello all! After seeing the group buy thread on Colt Cams and realizing that I know absolutely nothing about how to take out cams and install a new set I decided to do some "research" at my local junk yard. I found an engine that was already beat up, and had the valve cover removed already, so the motor has been exposed to the elements for quite some time (no hood). This motor is a 5s found in a 95GT. Here is what I have learned so far, if there are any corrections to be made please let me know so I can edit this thread.

This is what the cams look like, I have circled the 10mm bolts that will need to be removed to get the cam out:


This is a picture with the bottom cam out (I believe this is the exhaust cam):


This is what you will be looking at once you remove the cam, a row of buckets and shims:


One bucket / shim combo removed, and one cleaned:


What the bucket / shim looks like out of the engine:


Top view of the bucket / shim:


Shim removed from the bucket, this is a tight fit, I am not sure what the safest way of removing these without damaging the combo. Obviously I wasn't really worried about damaging this one. The shim spins freely within the bucket, however it feels as though it is suctioned down to the bucket by a layer of oil:


The lip of the bucket:


Side view of the bucket / shim:



After looking at these parts, and putting my hands on them, I feel pretty confident removing my cams and replacing them. Also, I am not really worried about the top shims shooting out of the buckets after adding in the "helper shims" sent by Colt Cams.

-Nate

This post has been edited by Arsaces: Feb 23, 2012 - 4:01 PM

[KAOS]

... there must be some mistake - I ordered the LARGE pictures!

[Arsaces]

... there must be some mistake - I ordered the LARGE pictures!

They auto resize once they load completely (at least they are supposed to)

[KAOS]

I was just playing around - they are still quite big even after fully loading, but that doesn't matter.

Great idea & very informative; thank you!

Where's the bulk buy again?

[Arsaces]

I was just playing around - they are still quite big even after fully loading, but that doesn't matter.

Great idea & very informative; thank you!

Where's the bulk buy again?

It's in the general forum, it should be at the top as I just posted there.

-Nate

[Arsaces]

Yay, I figured out how to make the thumbnails work!

[top_projects05]

Great informative write up with pictures. I too don't know much about the internals of a engine and have been thinking about the cam upgrade. I'm sure there are other things like timing or torque specs when actually installing the cams right? and have you researched on what is needed after installing the cams to get the car to run at full potential?

[Arsaces]

As far as I understand, the cam regrinds will drop right in without needing to do any tuning, however if you want to get it to run at full potential the consensus seems to be - Get an SAFC and either a wideband sensor to tune it, or dyno time. As far as Torque settings, I was planning on getting those from the manual. Timing, I believe that there is a mark on the pulley, but I forgot to check ><

[mkernz22]

no need to worry about the mark. the cam gear has a notch so it only goes on the cams a certain way. you just have to align the notch from the cam gear to the one on the block upon installation.

[Arsaces]

Thanks for clarifying!

[RabidTRD]

Looks easy enough. So the helper shims slide into the top when you take out the old ones? or do they just rest on it? I'm slightly confused by that part.

[Smaay]

After looking at these parts, and putting my hands on them, I feel pretty confident removing my cams and replacing them. Also, I am not really worried about the top shims shooting out of the buckets after adding in the "helper shims" sent by Colt Cams.

-Nate

you guys go ahead and light the fuse on that bomb. im just telling you its gonna blow! Then you will be crying to me asking why your engine isnt running. and when you take the valve cover off and see the shim floating around, the cam chewed up, and valves bent. Im gonna tell you so.

If you are going to drop that much money in a nice set of cams. get the insurance and upgrade the buckets. This is my final warning.

[Arsaces]

you guys go ahead and light the fuse on that bomb. im just telling you its gonna blow! Then you will be crying to me asking why your engine isnt running. and when you take the valve cover off and see the shim floating around, the cam chewed up, and valves bent. Im gonna tell you so.

If you are going to drop that much money in a nice set of cams. get the insurance and upgrade the buckets. This is my final warning.

Note to self - Don't cry to Smaay.

Got it.

-Nate

Looks easy enough. So the helper shims slide into the top when you take out the old ones? or do they just rest on it? I'm slightly confused by that part.

The helpers go in between the stock shim and the bucket, like the third image in this thread:
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...mp;hl=COLT+CAMS

[RabidTRD]

This is a must have for me. Will be doing this after I get my exhaust done.

[trdproven]

After looking at these parts, and putting my hands on them, I feel pretty confident removing my cams and replacing them. Also, I am not really worried about the top shims shooting out of the buckets after adding in the "helper shims" sent by Colt Cams.

-Nate

you guys go ahead and light the fuse on that bomb. im just telling you its gonna blow! Then you will be crying to me asking why your engine isnt running. and when you take the valve cover off and see the shim floating around, the cam chewed up, and valves bent. Im gonna tell you so.

If you are going to drop that much money in a nice set of cams. get the insurance and upgrade the buckets. This is my final warning.

what do you mean by upgrade the buckets, are they aftermarket?

[Arsaces]

By upgrading the buckets he means go to Toyota and get the right thickness bucket from a 1zz. I have read that the 1zz buckets are lighter which is always nice, but the main concern is spitting out the top shims under high rpm. I do understand that it is a good idea (and it is something smart to get to protect your investment) however I don't think it is 100% essential, and it can be put off or skipped all together. Personally, I may go ahead and get them, but it won't be at the same time as the cams.

-Nate

[trdproven]

got it thanks

[Smaay]

yes the buckets come in a 1ZZ and they are ~30% lighter and 1 solid piece.