Author Topic: How critical is it to use the cam locking tool? (Read 4735 times)

bmwpower · « **on:** January 15, 2008, 09:11:13 PM »

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?

pbgd3skier · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2008, 10:25:30 PM »

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.

bmwpower · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2008, 11:04:11 PM »

Quote from: pbgd3skier;41286

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?

kowalski · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2008, 12:36:19 AM »

i installed mine without such a tool. used a straight edge to ensure they were lined up properly after.

rob_e30 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2008, 04:12:49 PM »

Quote from: kowalski;41293

i installed mine without such a tool. used a straight edge to ensure they were lined up properly after.

Same here.

bmwpower · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2008, 07:41:56 PM »

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.

sheepdog · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2008, 01:28:19 PM »

Quote from: kowalski;41293

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.

nuvolarossa · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2008, 02:28:59 PM »

Great infos, I'll need to do the headgasket soon...

bmwpower · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2008, 02:58:35 PM »

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).

sheepdog · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2008, 09:18:13 PM »

Quote from: bmwpower;41442

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.

Paul Strefling · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2008, 04:58:16 AM »

Does anyone have a print for this tool?

Paul Strefling · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2008, 05:17:09 AM »

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.

318is93 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2008, 02:11:50 PM »

I have a few templates that I can email to you if you want. Just let me know.

Paul Strefling · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2008, 10:28:52 AM »

Yeah, send them over please.

cecotto · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2008, 10:46:51 AM »

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.