Installing a Cam: How To...
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Leave it in there till it get tender. Shouldn't take but a few thousand years.....LOL.
I missed it if you mentioned it, but what cam are you going with? I'd rather ask, than try to read back thru every post......
EDIT: Never mind, I looked back and saw that it's a comp 260. Good choice!
Also, about the spacer that goes behind the cam gear. Not sure it really makes any difference which way it goes. It's whole purpose is to keep the cam gear from being installed too deep, making the cam and gear bind on the thrust plate. The back of the gear, and front of the cam, both have flat spots on them and the thrust plate keeps the cam from "walking" front/rear by those flats just touching the plate.
I missed it if you mentioned it, but what cam are you going with? I'd rather ask, than try to read back thru every post......
EDIT: Never mind, I looked back and saw that it's a comp 260. Good choice!
Also, about the spacer that goes behind the cam gear. Not sure it really makes any difference which way it goes. It's whole purpose is to keep the cam gear from being installed too deep, making the cam and gear bind on the thrust plate. The back of the gear, and front of the cam, both have flat spots on them and the thrust plate keeps the cam from "walking" front/rear by those flats just touching the plate.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Must have cooled off too fast, causing the gap to close. Might be time to either use a large bolt and heavy duty washer in the end of the cam, or find a press.
Had it still been warm, you could have placed a wood block on the gear, and tapped it down with a hammer hitting the wood. Having cooled down, this method may not work.....
Had it still been warm, you could have placed a wood block on the gear, and tapped it down with a hammer hitting the wood. Having cooled down, this method may not work.....
Thread Starter
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
I think what happened was the cam key wasn't all the way seated, so the end of the little key nearest the cam was sticking out a little further. Road block.
Scoured my garage and found a bolt that fit the thread, and put a stack of washers under it and tightened it on the rest of the way. It was pretty tough and then suddenly went easy (I'm guessing the cam key seated the rest of the way).
It seems that the Comp timing gear is designed to be flush with the end of the Comp cam when it meets the spacer. Made pressing it on nice and easy.
Yeah, from what I hear, the 260 is a nice choice for an all around daily driver, distance driver, torque engine. And, it looks like its ready to go in.
Should have the money this week to get the rest of the stuff for the install like gaskets, coolant, crank gear puller, etc.
Scoured my garage and found a bolt that fit the thread, and put a stack of washers under it and tightened it on the rest of the way. It was pretty tough and then suddenly went easy (I'm guessing the cam key seated the rest of the way).
It seems that the Comp timing gear is designed to be flush with the end of the Comp cam when it meets the spacer. Made pressing it on nice and easy.
Yeah, from what I hear, the 260 is a nice choice for an all around daily driver, distance driver, torque engine. And, it looks like its ready to go in.
Should have the money this week to get the rest of the stuff for the install like gaskets, coolant, crank gear puller, etc.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 380
From: Near Los Angeles
Even with the heat, I still needed a press. I hope yours slides right on.
Operation Disc brakes is complete. Those Caddy calipers kicked my butt!! With changing the m. cyl., soft lines, hard from master back, and the disc install, I worked on it for four days!!
Now I'm looked at the master and booster from a 2000 F450!
Operation Disc brakes is complete. Those Caddy calipers kicked my butt!! With changing the m. cyl., soft lines, hard from master back, and the disc install, I worked on it for four days!!
Now I'm looked at the master and booster from a 2000 F450!
Thread Starter
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
Here's some pics:
Used a hammer and pin from a differential I had in the garage to tap the cam key into place:
Next, put the cam gear into the oven at 300° for 30 minutes.
Spread some all purpose automotive grease around the end of the cam, then pulled the gear out, leaned over the cam, and pressed it on. Went on almost all the way and then abruptly stopped. I'm thinking the cam key wasn't seated 100%, so it got in the way. Luckily found the only bolt in the garage that matched the thread in the end of the cam, stacked some washers, and used them to press the cam gear the rest of the way on.
There's barely enough space for the thrust plate to spin, but the spacer, if I remember right, leaves around 0.005" between the thrust plate and the cam gear. Since everything's machined flat, it spins freely.
Now it's just up to swapping them!
Used a hammer and pin from a differential I had in the garage to tap the cam key into place:
Next, put the cam gear into the oven at 300° for 30 minutes.
Spread some all purpose automotive grease around the end of the cam, then pulled the gear out, leaned over the cam, and pressed it on. Went on almost all the way and then abruptly stopped. I'm thinking the cam key wasn't seated 100%, so it got in the way. Luckily found the only bolt in the garage that matched the thread in the end of the cam, stacked some washers, and used them to press the cam gear the rest of the way on.
There's barely enough space for the thrust plate to spin, but the spacer, if I remember right, leaves around 0.005" between the thrust plate and the cam gear. Since everything's machined flat, it spins freely.
Now it's just up to swapping them!
Thread Starter
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
Even with the heat, I still needed a press. I hope yours slides right on.
Operation Disc brakes is complete. Those Caddy calipers kicked my butt!! With changing the m. cyl., soft lines, hard from master back, and the disc install, I worked on it for four days!!
Now I'm looked at the master and booster from a 2000 F450!
Operation Disc brakes is complete. Those Caddy calipers kicked my butt!! With changing the m. cyl., soft lines, hard from master back, and the disc install, I worked on it for four days!!
Now I'm looked at the master and booster from a 2000 F450!
Four days on a project like that would start to wear on me.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
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Thread Starter
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
Hrmm. I remember asking that and I think the answer was no. I don't see any information on it on Comp's website.
I imagine not, since there's one timing dot, and only one way the timing gear can go on.
I imagine not, since there's one timing dot, and only one way the timing gear can go on.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Offset keyways and advancing/retarding tooth/teeth on the cam gear would allow for indexing, if the cam is designed to use any setting other than stock, for optimal performance.
Usually, the cam "spec sheet" will state if the cam should be indexed or not.
Also, I believe I have seen reference to some timing gears that have 2-3 keyways and dots on the crank gear, for indexing purposes.
Usually, the cam "spec sheet" will state if the cam should be indexed or not.
Also, I believe I have seen reference to some timing gears that have 2-3 keyways and dots on the crank gear, for indexing purposes.
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
By the look of it then, it only goes in one way. Timing gear only goes on one way, etc. So I don't think so.
Don't have the spec sheet for the cam. I got it from a guy who never installed it in his truck, and by the look of the box the cam came in, I'm guessing it's been sitting in his garage for quite some time.
But, $50 for a $150 cam was a good deal.
Don't have the spec sheet for the cam. I got it from a guy who never installed it in his truck, and by the look of the box the cam came in, I'm guessing it's been sitting in his garage for quite some time.
But, $50 for a $150 cam was a good deal.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
AH! I love a great deal, especially when I'm on the right end of it.
Perhaps someone who has purchased this cam still has the spec sheet, and can answer the index question.
Under the circumstances, not having the sheet is perfectly understandable, and totally excusable.
Perhaps someone who has purchased this cam still has the spec sheet, and can answer the index question.
Under the circumstances, not having the sheet is perfectly understandable, and totally excusable.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 380
From: Near Los Angeles
Cloyes offers a set of t. gears for that purpose. I was impressed with the Comp 260. At .050" it has more duration than the Isky 262, and with better street mannors, vacuum, idle.
Dang, AB, with you and Harte3 having that cam, I'm going to have to swap in the Comp 268.
Dang, AB, with you and Harte3 having that cam, I'm going to have to swap in the Comp 268.
