Camshaft gear and/or cam walked? How to get gear back on?

[JohnJL]

Hi all,

I checked the cam timing and found that to be correct...however I found something alarming and need some guidance diagnosing/setting this right.

The cam gear was sitting flush with the end of the cam. There was no snap ring on the cam. The cam gear was sitting ~6.2mm out on the crank gear.

I removed the distributor and tried tapping the cam gear back in deeper but it wouldnt budge. I didnt want to wail on it with the BFH for fear of damaging the lifters or spanking the freeze plug out the other side of the block.

Once the cam gear was off I did some measurements and found the cam gear is ~23.25mm thick. The snap ring-to-thrust plate distance is ~19.2mm. That would seem to me that the timing gear is contacting the thrust plate well before it is on the cam and able to accept the snap ring? I tried pulling the cam outward by hand but it wont budge. The cam isnt threaded so I cant use a bolt to pull it out.

It seems to me I need to pull the valvetrain, pushrods and lifters, pull out the cam, check for damage, and press the cam gear on the camshaft fully with a new snapring? Can I press the cam gear on the bench (in the press) and then reinstall the entire cam and gear together or is there some reason the cam gear needs to go on with the cam already in the block?

Pics....

 

[Steamer]

It seems to me I need to pull the valvetrain, pushrods and lifters, pull out the cam, check for damage, and press the cam gear on the camshaft fully with a new snapring? Can I press the cam gear on the bench (in the press) and then reinstall the entire cam and gear together or is there some reason the cam gear needs to go on with the cam already in the block?

I say you're thinking correctly. The cam with the gear on it will slide right in. That's how I did it on my 74 F.5

 

[JohnJL]

OK, see that pic right there? That's where I am stuck now...pulled the cam out and pressed the gear on the cam. Went to go put the cam back in and noticed this ...

Took the whole cam back out...yep, the bronze thrust plate cant be fit on the cam from the end...so before I %uck this up further...is it correct that the bronze thrust plate needs to be installed on the cam before pressing the cam gear on?

BTW, I cant imagine trying to get this cam gear on the cam in situ..the press read 4 tons at one point when installing the gear.

And yes, I have the FSM but it contains ZERO drawings of the cam gear installation, and doesnt even reference that thrust plate.

Thanks!

 

[Steamer]

Yes. the cam plate (thrust plate) goes on first before pressing on the cam gear. You just can't see it in my pic.

 

[Steamer]

Pic from SOR

 

[SergP]

Also in 2f engine cam gear need to press much more and lock with snap ring.

 

[JohnJL]

Son of a...

Thanks a lot guys!