M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: bmwpower on January 15, 2008, 09:11:13 PM
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I pulled the old head off without the cam locking tool. The cams don't seem like they would move on their own.
How important is it to use the cam locking tool when installing the head?
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the cams do move on their own, when you really look at it they are spring loaded cams. They go to a neutral tension.
I do not recal what posistion they go to, but I believe when installed they're going to be loading some of the valves and need to be held in place.
You can make a locking tool.
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the cams do move on their own, when you really look at it they are spring loaded cams. They go to a neutral tension.
I do not recal what posistion they go to, but I believe when installed they're going to be loading some of the valves and need to be held in place.
You can make a locking tool.
Any DIY's on making one? Maybe out something easy like wood?
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i installed mine without such a tool. used a straight edge to ensure they were lined up properly after.
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i installed mine without such a tool. used a straight edge to ensure they were lined up properly after.
Same here.
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I used a friend to help hold things while I lined them up and tightened the cams sprockets down. They still seem to be small bit off. I used a builder's type square on the outside edges to make sure the machines edges on the backside of the cams were perpendicular. No matter what I do one is a tiny tiny bit off, but things are generally lined up. I think the proper way is to make sure the machined sides of the back of the cams are perpendicular to the head, no. When I place a straight edge on the topside (unmachined side) things are not perfectly level, but I'm not sure they're supposed to be.
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i installed mine without such a tool. used a straight edge to ensure they were lined up properly after.
Same here.
The tool would have made it a bit easier but is by no means a required tool.
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Great infos, I'll need to do the headgasket soon...
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Well, I picked up the tool from the CCA club today.
No matter what I tried, I just could not get the cams lines up perfectly. They were close, but not perfect.
My head is rebuilt, so all new stuff. I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it (cams won't stay where I want them to for too long).
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Well, I picked up the tool from the CCA club today.
No matter what I tried, I just could not get the cams lines up perfectly. They were close, but not perfect.
My head is rebuilt, so all new stuff. I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it (cams won't stay where I want them to for too long).
Put the sprocket in place, time everything close, then with the cam sprocket loose, use a wrench to rotate it to the exact position needed. Tighten down. Works better with 2 people.
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Does anyone have a print for this tool?
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I assume this is the best print we have?
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4403&highlight=cam+tool
I am just going to make the adjustable version of this, as seen in the picture.
(http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/visionbmw7/original/IMG_0146%5B1%5D)
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I have a few templates that I can email to you if you want. Just let me know.
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Yeah, send them over please.
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I had good luck with the straight edge too.
But as a locking mechanism i put a piece of paper under the bearing cap on one of the bearings and tightened the nuts, this held the cams in place for me while doing the timing work.