Cylinder head removal - do I take off camshaft?

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:10 pm

I'm removing my cylinder head to get it tested for cracks/distortion. Is it necessary to remove the camshaft to do this or can I leave it in place? As a non-mechanic I want to leave as much as is as possible.

Ta...Rob

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:17 pm

At a guess I would say it needs stripping down. It depends if it will get in the way of the equipment being used to test the warping of the head's surface. You would be better asking the outfit that is going to do the testing.

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:30 pm

Thanks, you're right, I've just spoken to a very good outfit in Milton Keynes who are happy to take a look at it with shaft in place, but would need it removed if machining is necessary.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:39 pm

That sounds about right so you now have to make the decision:
1. take a chance that all is well and leave the cam in place but accept that you will have to have it returned to remove cam and send back for machining, incurring cost and time
2. play it safe by removing cam now and all you lose is your time to remove the cam and replace after head comes back.

PAUL10121968 · Post by **PAUL10121968** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:48 pm

yes i agree.the camshaft can also be inspected for wear at the same time,we,ve just done a complete engine restoration and completely stripped our unit to a bare shell,also check for sludge in the water jacket that surrounds the engine,if this gets blocked it can cause major overheating problems.paul

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:38 am

Thanks guys....ok, I'm TRYING to remove my camshaft! I just can't shift the nut on the cam pulley wheel! I've got a meaty 26mm wrench on the camshaft and the longest 17mm ring I can find on the pulley wheel but the nut will not budge. I assume it's a normal thread direction?

Any hints or tricks I can use?

Cheers ......Rob

As a non mechanic, ripping apart my Bongo is a very interesting and satisfying journey to tske. But I'm seriously going to whoop it up on this forum if I can get back together again and it runs and it doesn't overheat!

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 12:19 pm

The nut doesn't appear to have anything like 'Loctite' on it per chance? Try a good hefty whack to the spanner with a mallet to 'shock' it loose.

With regard to your overheating fears. Check the coolant pathways in the head for blockages as they can be narrow in places and accumulate sedimentation thus restricting coolant flow.