stuck camshaft

[SteveStang]

Hello All
i am running into a little bit of a problem I am hoping someone can help.
I have my cam installed on a pretty open engine that I am rebuilding,I have the pistons in,crank etc and can see everything.My problem is that once I put the timing wheel on the cam,it moves freely but when i put the center bolt in and slightly tighten it,everything stops turning.I have the plate installed to prevent the play,the timing sprocket and the center bolt.
What may be happening?

Thanks
Steve Stang

 

[63comet]

Have you got the spacer ring behind the dowel pin

 

[SteveStang]

I have no spacer>So I take that this should fit on the inside of the block wall on the very front of the cam.I took the old cam out before I had the engine rebuilt and do not remember it.Does it look like a washer?

Thanks for your help.

Steve Stang

 

[SteveStang]

If you mean by the spacer,the part that fits on the outside of the block with the 2 bolts.Yes,I have that installed and then I put the tinming sprocket on and everything is moving fine.Only when I tighten down the center bolt on the timing sprocket does everything stop dead.

Thanks
SteveStang

 

[wallaka]

He's talking about a part that fits behind the pin that engages the sprocket. It's like a thick washer.

 

[SteveStang]

Thanks

I do not have this part.How can I get one because i assume they are a set thickness and although I will look,I doubt that I am going to find it.

SteveStang

 

[drag-200stang]

Can someone please make a sticky about this subject.
A lot of builds have been hurt by this. Some are running and do not even know it.

 

[AzCoupe]

First, make sure your thrust plate in installed properly. The slots in the plate need to face in (towards the cam), not outwards (facing the gear). This is very important for proper cam lubrication. See the pic below.

Try flipping the cam gear. If it's on backwards (inside out) that might bind up the camshaft?

I don't think there is a spacer or washer between the cam and the cam gear. But I may be wrong, as I don't remember. None of the tech drawings I have show one?

The thrustplate in this pic is installed backwards, as the slots face out, not in.

 

[drag-200stang]

A spacer does go between dowel and cam journal thrust face.

 

[63comet]

The spacer I'm talking about goes up against the end bearing and before you install the dowel, not between the dowel and the thrust plate. I have searched all over the internet and have not been able to find them. I ended up, going to a junkyard and taking one off a junk. I don't believe it is hardened or at all, it looks like it could be made easily enough by using a piece of 1" black iron pipe, and making it the same thickness, if it needed to be hardened, you could then heat it up cherry red and dip it in water to harden it.

 

[drag-200stang]

63Comet,

Yes, we are both saying the same thing.

It looks like a used one is the best bet on getting one,they do not wear out.

They are fairly hard and precision ground. You don't want your cam sliding back and forth.

 

[SteveStang]

Hi Guys

Found an old cam from a 200 with a spacer on it in my shed and used it on my new cam,It was exactly what I needed.Everything is working fine now.

Thanks for your help
Happy New Year

SteveStang

 

[wsa111]

The spacer washer is champhered on one of the inner edges, make sure that faces toward #1 camshaft journal. The reason its champhered is to clear the radius between the camshaft snout & the camshaft journal.

Does anyone know where to purchase one, felpro & pioneer stock the dowel pin, but i could never find the source for a new spacer?? Bill

 

[61Fordor]

AAARGH!

Sorry to resurrect this topic. I am putting together my 144 with the exact parts that came out of it. Thrust plate, spacer and bolt. (New cam and gear of course), Spacer and thrust plate facing correctly with chamfer in to clear cam journal radius. Locks up on tightening.

The interesting thing is that the cam gear was loose when dissembling the motor. I assumed it was from the timing chain slack that had been slapping for years...I fabricated a new dowel out of 1/4" drill rod but is my spacer worn? I'll try to mic the thicknesses tomorrow

THANKS!