BBC cam stuck

[FtwK5]

Hey guys, need advice on removing a stuck cam from 454 BBC. Engine is out, on a stand. Already removed fuel pump pushrod. With the gear still attached, I was able to work it out maybe about 1/4", but that's about it. I can't it to budge any farther, even with the fancy handle. It doesn't even spin. I squirted some oil on the bearing journals, and can use a prybar on the bolts to work it back and forth, and even rotate it....but can't get it to free up enough to come out. Is there any way to get this thing out, without carnage....or has that train already sailed? Help!

Thanks.

 

[Wes Harden]

they do build up sludge on the journals. could Possibly a vacuum at the cam plug if is still in rear of engine, but I would expect that to lessen in short time.

All the lifters are out, and distributor ? Is there possibly a cam plate behind the gear ?

 

[FtwK5]

Distributor is out. Lifters are out. I even pulled the oil pump off. There's nothing else, that I can think of, that could be in the way? Are you talking a cam plate behind the timing gear....or do you mean something behind the distributor gear? Timing gear is off, and there's nothing behind it.

 

[Wes Harden]

yep I was asking about all that. So that leaves sludge on the journals or a vacuum at the rear

 

[FtwK5]

So, if that's the case....what a the solution? Does that mean there's no way to get it out....without trashing the cam, or at least the bearings?

 

[Wes Harden]

I would look and see if I could Identify the sludge, hit with some penetrate oil, those oils have solvents that might reduce/eliminate the sludge, and maybe pop the rear cam plug out.

 

[tarussell]

What was the condition of the motor when it last ran ?
Also, what was the time frame and storage conditions since it last ran?

A big concern is that you say that it won’t spin unless a pry bar is used on the bolts for the cam gear - could be big bearing to journal issues?

 

[Bent77]

Very carefully take a long screwdriver and go in from the lifter valley, and catch the SIDE of a lobe.
Then turn back and both a little and add moderate pressure

Don't gall the lifter bore....
Try to go down through the center

 

[FtwK5]

What was the condition of the motor when it last ran ?
Also, what was the time frame and storage conditions since it last ran?

A big concern is that you say that it won’t spin unless a pry bar is used on the bolts for the cam gear - could be big bearing to journal issues?

It was running. I probably should have never pulled it, to be honest.....but that's a whole different story....it likely needed a different cam anyway. It's been out, on the stand, for over a year now.....but it spun ok by hand. Just, when I went to pull the cam....it suddenly doesn't wanna budge, for some reason?

 

[FtwK5]

What was the condition of the motor when it last ran ?
Also, what was the time frame and storage conditions since it last ran?

A big concern is that you say that it won’t spin unless a pry bar is used on the bolts for the cam gear - could be big bearing to journal issues?

It was running. I probably should have never pulled it, to be honest.....but that's a whole different story....it likely needed a different cam anyway. It's been out, on the stand, for over a year now.....but it spun ok by hand. Just, when I went to pull the cam....it suddenly doesn't wanna budge, for some reason?

 

[tarussell]

It was running. I probably should have never pulled it, to be honest.....but that's a whole different story....it likely needed a different cam anyway. It's been out, on the stand, for over a year now.....but it spun ok by hand. Just, when I went to pull the cam....it suddenly doesn't wanna budge, for some reason?

Try what Bent77 suggested and let us know the results - as Bent said be damn careful around those lifter bores.

 

[FtwK5]

Very carefully take a long screwdriver and go in from the lifter valley, and catch the SIDE of a lobe.
Then turn back and both a little and add moderate pressure

Don't gall the lifter bore....
Try to go down through the center

That's what I was gonna try next. I just didn't think prying on any part of it seemed like a good idea.....but it doesn't seem like there's any other option. I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

 

[nvrenuf]

@FtwK5 any update?

 

[76zimmer]

if the above procedures don’t work, use a slide hammer to pull it….carefully, or just plan on replacing the cam bearings!

 

[FtwK5]

@FtwK5 any update?

Sorry, no updates....I haven't had a chance to mess with it much. I did remove the rear cam plug, as someone suggested. I also tried to find a way to safely pry against a lobe....but couldn't figure out how. The problem is....since it wont even spin easily, there's no good way to get any leverage to be able to turn it AND pull on it, at the same time....at least not til I can an extra set of hands to help. Best I've been able to do....is put bolts in it, and use pry bar to keep working it back and forth.....very, very, VERY gradually. Talked to local machine shop, and he said the same thing.....said that's all I can really do. Gonna work at it some more this weekend when I get more time....and patience, hopefully.

 

[FtwK5]

if the above procedures don’t work, use a slide hammer to pull it….carefully, or just plan on replacing the cam bearings!

I thought about that, but didn't know if it was a good idea. I was afraid the impact might break it....making it even harder to get out. No matter what, I'm already expecting to have to replace the bearings, at a minimum.

 

[tarussell]

I thought about that, but didn't know if it was a good idea. I was afraid the impact might break it....making it even harder to get out. No matter what, I'm already expecting to have to replace the bearings, at a minimum.

If ya do end up needing to use a slide puller as 76ZIMMER suggested keep in mind when he emphasized “careful” - the impacts of the slide weight should be slow-n-soft with very gradual degrees of gentle impact force.

Tools can be used elegantly even if they are intended for some brute force applications - slow and gentle bumps/hits on the slide hammer is what ya are looking for.

And if that don’t work do what ya gotta do and let the machine shop thoroughly inspect it while they replace the bearings at a minimum. Besides, it will give you a good excuse to upgrade the cam profile.

Hope it works for ya.

 

[Bent77]

Slide hammer is a bit of tap tap

Spray a little bit of penetrating oil around all of the cam bearings and see if you can’t work it slowly out of the block maybe even put some heat in the block. It’s OK if you use the slide hammer, the problem is if you get over exuberant and pull one of the cam bearings off. It will drop down on the cam and then you’ll have to get it repositioned to get the cam around it to get it off the camshaft to pull the cam out the rest of the way. it could be fun

That is essentially how a cam bearing puller works