Thread: Cam won't just slip out.

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Originally Posted by BlownCenturion

Did you remember to pull the fuel pump pushrod out?

fords do not used them

Yep, Chevys do, Ford's don't. Everything is removed it is a bare block with just the cam in it now. I've played with Fords for a while so I know what needs removed and the sequence, and was super surprised when I went to turn the cam over and it was hard to turn. I put a long bolt in the end to use as a handle, expecting to be able to just pull it out as I always have done, but it wouldn't budge. I made a quick puller and got the cam to pop loose of the bearings enough to come out to where the journals now start engaging the next set of bearings and that is where it stopped again. So today I have to pick up some allthread to make a longer puller to get it out the rest of the way.

Pat's explanation is exactly what is going on. Not sure of the exact cause but some metal was formed into a lip on the cam bearings over time. When I used the puller that very thin ring of bearing came out and was wrapped around the cam. It was thin like a piece of wire but it was evident where it had come from.

I would guess guys like Pat and Jerry who tear engines down on a daily basis have seen this before, but it was a new one on me. There was also a lot of slop in the timing chain (a double roller) maybe from it having to work hard to turn the cam in it's bound up condition.

Don