When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Was tearing into my 3.4 and noticed this play in the camshaft. I know some play is ok but seems like a lot. Is it fixable? Nvm the clicking noise it's just the slacking timing chain. Seems like it moves in and out everytime the chain slaps.
So I replaced my timing set and still have some camshaft play. Is it normal? It's less then before. I also removed the sensor above the camshaft. Could this cause the extra play? Should I put it back in or leave it out or plug it???
From looking at your lifters, you have a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft.
So there should NOT be a camshaft retainer plate behind your new timing set.
A roller camshaft would use the retainer plate.
The endplay you refer to is therefore normal. If it really bothers you, you could install a cam button
that limits the back-and-forth movement against the timing cover.
But it is not necessary since flat tappet camshaft lobes are ground with a taper that forces the camshaft
rearward in the block under normal operation.
Roller camshafts do not have that taper to the lobes and that is why they need the retainer plate.
From looking at your lifters, you have a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft.
So there should NOT be a camshaft retainer plate behind your new timing set.
A roller camshaft would use the retainer plate.
The endplay you refer to is therefore normal. If it really bothers you, you could install a cam button
that limits the back-and-forth movement against the timing cover.
But it is not necessary since flat tappet camshaft lobes are ground with a taper that forces the camshaft
rearward in the block under normal operation.
Roller camshafts do not have that taper to the lobes and that is why they need the retainer plate.
The timing mark on the cam seems to point at 12 o clock and the crank at 12 o clock instead of 12 on the crank and 6 on the cam like the 3.1. Is this correct ??
Rotate the crank 1 turn and the dots will be pointing at each other.
When I tore down the motor all stock the crank gear dot was at 12 and the cam at 12 also when I aligned the timing marks. So I'm wondering if this is how it goes stock. I don't wanna set it up wrong. On the 3.1 it's, crank and 12 and cam at 6 facing each other. Will the cam still be in the same position if I turn it to 6 position?
Dots at 12 and 12 or 12 and 6 will be the same thing.
Choose which ever way works easiest, and use it.
Personally I use 12 and 6, because they will be closest to each other. Rotating the crank one full rotation will cause the cam to rotate exactly 1 half turn, turning the crank one full turn again will bring the cam back to it's original position.
IIRC 12 and 6 on the 60 degree V6 will have cylinder #4 at TDC compression stroke.
