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Civic Cam Upgrade: Installing Cam Shafts and Adjustable Cam Gears Performance Cam Shaft and Cam Gears, Part 3 of 4 From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-312

(Continued from page 1)

Cam Shaft Installation

• Apply a bead of assembly lubricant all along the cam journals on the head (figure J). This lube will reduce pre-mature wear and extend the life of the new cams.

• When you put the cams back in, take care not to mix them up. There are two different ones: an intake and an exhaust. Just remember that the intake cam is the one with the slotted end (figure K, left) that fits into the distributor side.

  Figure J

  Figure K

  
  

  Figure L

• As you replace the cams be sure to check the timing marks on the new cam gears. You'll want them to align in the center like the original set.
  
  
• Once the intake cams are in place you can drop in the exhaust cam (figure L).
  

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  	Figure M
  	Figure N

• Since the exhaust cam doesn't have a distributor on its end you can replace the factory rubber end cap or pop on an upgraded billet aluminum cap (figure M).

• When they are both in place, double check the seals and then make a run with the assembly lubricant on the cam caps and place them carefully back in their original positions, hand-tightening the bolts as you go.

• Apply a thin bead of gasket sealer to the cylinder head where it contacts the outer bearing caps (figure N), and then install the end caps hand tight.

  Important: Make sure to install the larger 12mm bolts in the inside position and the small 10mm bolts outside.
  

  	Figure O
  	Figure P

• When all of the parts are in place, tighten all of the cap bolts (figure O), working from the inside out in stages. First, snug them up with a ratchet, and then go back and torque them to 20-foot pounds for the inside bolts and 7.2-foot pounds for the outside, working in the same sequence.

• Now it's time to reattach the timing belt. First, make sure that the camshafts are set to top dead center by checking the gear timing marks. There's a mark on each gear at the top and also a horizontal line that needs to match across both gears.

• Slide the belt onto the exhaust cam sprocket first. You might have to use a wrench to turn the cam a few degrees to top dead center, but once you get it started (figure P) the rest should be easy.
  

  Figure Q

• Next, re-tension the belt by tightening the tensioner.

• Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise for six complete revolutions and then return it to top dead center and check to make sure that your camshaft sprockets are still aligned (figure Q).

Important: Included in this summary are the steps in this automotive procedure as shown in the episode. These steps are general guidelines that are applicable to most vehicles. With any particular car or truck, there may be procedures, specifications, settings, tolerances, components, etc. that are specific to that vehicle. There are also variations according to the type and brand of upgrade-kit you select. Always consult your vehicle's service manual when undertaking significant automotive repairs, and read and follow the manufacturer's directions and precautions that come with your kit or replacement parts.

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RESOURCES :

Racing Innovations, Inc.
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AEM
www.aempower.com

LNS Motorsports
www.LNSmotorsports.com

Crane Cams
www.cranecams.com