Camshaft Gear/Sprocket: Service and Repair

Remove or Disconnect
1. Engine oil.
2. Engine coolant.
3. Radiator. (If equipped with A/C, remove A/C condenser.).
4. Fan and water pump pulley.
5. Rocker arm cover, loosen valve rockers and bolts and pivot rocker arms clear of push rods.
6. Oil pump drive shaft and gear assembly, and spark plugs.
7. Distributor and mark for installation.
8. Push rod cover, push rods and valve lifters.
9. Pulley hub and timing gear cover.





10. The two camshaft thrust plate screws by working through holes in the camshaft gear.
11. The camshaft and gear assembly by pulling it out through the front of the block.
Important
^ (Support shaft carefully when removing so as not to damage camshaft bearings.).

Disassemble
1. Gear from camshaft.
^ Use press adapter J 971.





^ Position thrust plate to avoid damage by interference with woodruff key as gear is removed.

Assemble
1. Support camshaft at back of front journal in arbor press using press plate adapters.
2. Position spacer ring, thrust plate over end of shaft and woodruff key in keyway.
3. Press gear on shaft - bottom against spacer ring.

Measure





End clearance of thrust plate should be 0.0015" to 0.0050".
^ Less than 0.0015" - replace spacer ring.
^ More than 0.0050" - replace thrust plate.

Install or Connect
1. Coat the camshaft journals with a high quality engine oil supplement.
2. Camshaft assembly in the engine block, being careful not to damage bearings or cam.
3. Turn crankshaft and camshaft so that the valve timing marks on the gear teeth will line up. Engine is now in the number 4 cylinder firing position.
4. Camshaft thrust plate to block screws and tighten to 10 N.m (88 lb. in.).
5. Timing gear cover.
6. Line up, slide hub onto shaft, center bolt and torque to 212 N.m (160 lb. ft).
7. Valve lifters, push rods, push rod cover, oil pump shaft and gear assembly.
8. Distributor.
^ Turn crankshaft 360° to firing position of number one cylinder (number one exhaust and intake valve lifters both on base circle of camshaft and timing mark on harmonic balancer indexed with top dead center mark on timing pad).

9. Rocker arms, push rods, rocker arm bolt to 27 N.m (20 lb. ft.).
10. Water pump pulley and fan assembly.
11. A/C condenser and recharge A/C system.
12. Radiator.
13. Engine coolant.
14. Engine oil.

Inspect
^ For proper completion of repair.