Also, any tips on grinding/filing the burrs off and collecting the metal shavings so they are not running through my head?
messed up cam journal
messed up cam journal
Well I'm on my third exhaust cam on my DOHC KA in my s13. The first one broke while the car was running right in the middle of the first cam journal.The second one I bought from a guy with a '93 and I couldn't get the thing in. It would not slide into the first journal. Thinking I was doing something wrong, I made a mistake that costed me $76 and tried to pull the cam into the first journal using the other bearing caps.Well that cam busted in half and now I finally have another one and still can't get it to fit. Upon further inspection, I found several burrs on the corner of the journal that seem to be stopping the cam from sliding in. So, can I simply grind these burrs off? I think the first cam probably damaged the corner of the journal when it broke. If I grind these burrs off, will I mess with the clearance of the journal too much? Please don't tell me I need a new head. Also, any tips on grinding/filing the burrs off and collecting the metal shavings so they are not running through my head?
Also, any tips on grinding/filing the burrs off and collecting the metal shavings so they are not running through my head?Journals are so touchy. Even if you clean it up, it may tend to fail sooner anyway...reduced surface area. Definitely measure the oil pressure when you're done and frequently thereafter for maybe 10k miles or more. Ultimately it's usually better to replace a head rather than the entire engine. Clean the area with brakleen before you start work, and vacuum up after you're done. Any shavings will probably fall down into the oil pan, get sucked up through the pump, and land in the filter. Just don't get any debris between the journals and the camshaft! Flush real well with clean oil before assembly. Change your oil after you put it back together.
where do you suggest i install an oil pressure gauge (do I have to get a filter sandwhich)?DAEDALUS wrote: Definitely measure the oil pressure when you're done and frequently thereafter for maybe 10k miles or more.
pics will be up as soon as i can figure out what the hell is wrong with my mom's digital camera. mine doesn't do close ups like hers. its weird tho. the damn thing says low batteries, shutting down even after i just put brand new ones in. should be tomorrow that i get the pics. thanks a lot guys.
What kind of batteries are you using? Some cameras are *really* picky about the battery type, as voltages and capacities vary between Li-ion, Ni-cd, alkaline and Ni-MH. Usually there's a label somewhere, like on the battery cover, that tells you what type it needs.
For the oil pressure you can take a reading at the oil pressure sender.
For the oil pressure you can take a reading at the oil pressure sender.
Well, still no pics. But, my uncle (Nissan tech.) came over yesterday and we lightly sanded the sides of the cam journal until the cam fit. I have put my plans on turbocharging this engine on hold until I'm sure its up to it. Compression test will come soon, but I also want to test the clearance of the cam journal and make sure it is adequate. Does anyone know what the clearance should be? Can I use a Plastigage to measure it? The first cam journal is different then the others. The cam 'hugs' each side of it. How can I measure this space? Would you recommend not turbocharging this motor with this head? Thanks guys.
-Brandon
-Brandon