Genuine 1997 Ford Ranger Camshaft

1997 Ford Ranger Camshaft Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to remove and inspect of the camshaft and cam followers in SOHC four cylinder engine on 1997 Ford Ranger?

  A: To withdrawal the camshaft, one has to unfasten the negative terminal of battery, follow the removal of the valve cover, timing belt cover and finally the timing belt. Unless otherwise specified by the engine model, if the hydraulic valve lash adjuster is used for the cam follower, it is necessary to delete the spring clip from this part. Then using valve spring compressor remove all cam followers and retain the valve springs in the sequence that will be used for reassembly. Remove hydraulic lash adjusters along with their cam followers. Then, loosen and together with the washer, take out the camshaft sprocket mounting bolt with the help of a long screwdriver so that the camshaft does not rotate. Lever off the sprocket with a puller and if it was equipped then remove the belt guide. Remove the sprocket locating pin from the camshaft end amd remove the camshaft retaining plate form the rear bearing pedestal. Lift the car safely on jack stands, place the floor jack under the engine and put a wooden plank on it and then remove the engine mounting bolts/nuts. The engine lifting should be done carefully after which wood blocks should be inserted between the engine mounts and frame brackets, then lower the engine slowly onto the blocks while removing the jack, but without using hands to support the engine in order to avoid getting seriously injured. Take out the camshaft seal and slowly pull out the camshaft in order not to harm bearings and journals. Once you have clean the camshaft, check for bearing journals for wear, if worn, then both the camshaft and bearings must be replaced. Check each camshaft bearing for wear by micrometrically measuring the inside diameter of the bearings and the bearing journals. Examine that camshaft lobes have no signs of discoloration and wear and be sure that the oil ways are clear. In order to check leave of the thrust plate set the camshaft in the cylinder head and find out the total end play. Check the cam followers in the field for wear and make sure that they firmly seat on the lash adjuster. If there is evidence of excessive wear, expect to change the camshaft as well as all cam followers. Any time a cam follower is to be taken off verify the condition of the lash adjusters. To install; apply engine assembly lube on the camshaft journals and bearings before aligning the camshaft with the cylinder head placement holes. Place the retaining plate and screws, apply lubricant to the new camshaft oil seal and snap it in to place. The next step is to install the belt guide and the pin and finally the tapping of the sprocket. On the bolt insert a new sprocket bolt or replace the Teflon sealing tape from the old one, before lubricating the hydraulic lash adjusters with engine assembly lube and fitting them back at their rightful position. Apply the engine assembly lube to the camshaft lobes and cam followers, fit the timing belt, apply pressure each valve spring, position each cam follower and fit the springs if so equipped retaining clips. Last of all, finalize the procedure by reinstalling all the components that have been removed beginning with the most current driver first.