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

[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.