Question I'm replacing all of the roller followers in the engine with the ones with the smaller hole while I'm in there fixing the ones that are damaged . is it easier just to loosen the Cam replace them all then leave the ones that are pressurized off torque the cam back and then install those with the little tool??

 

Are you using the wedge tool to lock chain down or do you have timing cover off .

 

I have a wedge tool but now the bolt that isn't supposed to come out of the VCT, did indeed come out and went down the timing chains and i havent been able to see it or get it with a magnet. So long story longer looks like ill have the timing cover off.

 

If you are lucky its in the oil pan which is a good thing to clean out anyway . It gives you a good insight as to condition of lower end and plastic guides. I would run a oil flush first if you can . But I realize you can't because you don't know where that screw is .
So if you do pull timing cover you then can pull both cams at the timing point doing the bolt removal in sequence slowly and reinstall with all rollers in place doing bolts in sequence slowly . Replacing all rollers is a good idea.

 

That's That's I'm waist deep in right now. Did pull the cover, found bolt hiding under the chain midway down. Replaced all the followers on passenger side but the drivers side isn't working to well so I'm going to loosen the cam and see how that goes. Made several timing marks since the ones on there don't line up from the replacement engine builder (thanks for that). Will let everyone know how it goes. Waiting on new chain cover gaskets, they were nice enough to bath the silicone gasket RTV too.

 

Clean your mating surfaces and notice the metal joints , all those need rtv on them during assembly or that channel will leak oil . Oil pan ,timing cover and valve covers all have them .. RTV goes on crank seal also during assembly .
Hand oil everything -cams ,followers -lashs soaked over night . You will get some on exhaust manifold so it will smoke on start up .
Take pics as you go for reference , be careful not to put tone wheel on crank backwards.
Change oil soon after -200-300 miles as dirt gets into engine while its open .Use cheap oil for break in .

 

The truck is running great even though I couldn't let everything soak in the oil overnight, I had to travel and didn't have a choice. Thanks for the advise. You know what they say " If you don't learn something new everyday. Then your doing something wrong".

 

Great to hear your success plus feedback .