Ford 5L1Z-6250-AA Camshaft

In the process of disassembling the engine to replace the bearing, one has to unscrew the valve covers, timing chain cover, remove the timing chains and the camshaft sprockets with their spacers, make sure not to confuse the sprockets labeled as RB-right bank and LB-left bank since they should be replaced in the identical manner. Regarding 5.4L 4V engines, apply pressure using a C-clamp on the secondary timing chain tensioner so that you can fit pins to immobilize it before removal, do the same with the other cylinder head. The seat of the plunger is triggered by spring so be careful when putting the insertion tubing through the end of the assembly. Using the camshaft sprocket bolt and the large washer to immobilise the intake camshaft, shift both the camshaft sprockets and their spacers with the secondary chain. Check the thrust clearance of the camshaft(s) with the dial indicator and use new thrust plates and bearing caps if the clearance is beyond the standard limit. The camshaft journal caps extra design to indicate their location for correct installation on the camshaft caps cluster. Do not rotate the crankshaft in various directions with the timing chains removed to prevent valve-to-piston contact. Proceed and unwind the bearing cap bolts slowly, then turn the caps in as well as raise the camshaft off the cylinder head without swapping the parts. Externally, look for any scratches or wear on the cam lobes and bearing journals, and then, by means of micrometers, take measurements of the diameter of each camshaft journal, and camshaft lobe lift, and replace the camshaft if there are large variations. The check Plastigage for wear and clearance of each camshaft journal, clean the oil feed tube and reservoir of the timing chain tensioner before the installation of the cam caps. If lash adjusters or camshaft followers were removed, replace them in the same positions, use grease or camshaft installation lube on the camshaft lobe and bearing journals before placing the camshaft(s). Replace the lost camshaft caps and tighten the bolts gradually so as to ensure the camshafts are correctly positioned at TDC with the timing chain and cover reinstalled in a reverse process of what was used to remove them.

To check the camshaft lobe lift and see if there is any wear, one has to remove the valve cover, and the rocker arms but should retain the push rods. Rotate the number one piston to the top-dead-center on the compression stroke and install a dial indicator on the engine such that the plunger the pushes against the first pushrod. Rotate the crankshaft so that the pointer is zeroed on the dial indicator and then slowly turn the crankshaft, so the needle deflection indicates the maximum lift of the cam lobe. Document this magnification and perform the same for all valves and make sure the piston is at TDC on the compression stroke. After conducting the checks, they should be compared to the specifications; if the lobe lift is below the set figure, then a new camshaft is required. For removal, pull out push rods, valve lifters, timing chain and camshaft sprocket and then measure the camshaft end float using dial indicator. If the play is greater than the specifications, a new thrust plate must be fitted when replacing the part. The camshaft thrust plate and the balance shaft drive gear can be unscrewed with a T-30 Torx bit, while supporting the camshaft to avoid straining the bearings when pulling the shaft. Camshaft should be cleaned and examined for wear or damage after removal, to determine if the bearing journals are worn a micrometer can be used. Check the lobes for spoilage or wear; If the lobes are still okay and within Lift specifications the Camshaft can be reused. For the balance shaft, simply drive the thrust plate screws and pull of the shaft through the block; please remember this that if the thrust bearing faces are worn then they must be replaced by a mechanic. When reinstalling , put some grease on the journals and the thrust will be seen in the gear key way at 12 o'clock and should be torque to the thrust plate bolts. Before installing the camshaft ensure you lubricate the areas of the bearing journals and lobes as it is placed into position aligning it with the gear for the balance shaft. Grease the thrust plate to be used, properly align it and fix the bolts. Last of all, replace the lifters, pushrods, rocker arms, timing parts and covers, in the same manner, and change the oil and filtering before running the car.

Before removing the camshafts, check the valve clearances. Remove the primary timing chain and camshaft VCT units, then take out the camshafts from the cylinder head. With the camshafts removed, the tappets can be extracted using a magnet. After removing the camshafts, clean them with solvent and inspect the bearing journals for uneven wear and pitting; if damaged, the bearing saddles in the cylinder heads and caps will likely need replacement. Measure the bearing journals with a micrometer and compare to the specifications to check for excessive wear or out-of-round conditions. Measure the camshaft lobe height and the base circle to determine lobe lift, recording this figure for future reference and repeating the check on the remaining camshaft lobes while comparing results to the values. Inspect the camshaft lobes for heat discoloration, score marks, chipped areas, pitting, and uneven wear; if they are in good condition and the lobe lift measurements are as specified, the camshafts can be reused. For installation, rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise to position the keyway in the 9 o'clock position, lubricate the tappets with clean engine oil, and reinstall them in their original locations, replacing any out-of-specification tappets with new ones of the proper thickness. Obtain new seals for the grooves at the front of each camshaft and install them with the split facing up. Lubricate the camshaft bearing journals and cam lobes with moly-based grease or camshaft installation lubricant, then position the camshafts in the cylinder head in their neutral positions. Install the camshaft bearing caps in their original locations and tighten the bolts in sequence to the specified torque. Recheck the valve clearances, ensuring the crankshaft is in the neutral position to allow the camshafts to turn without the valves contacting the pistons. Remove the camshaft cap bolts securing the valvetrain oil tubes and take out the oil tubes. Rotate the camshafts to position the dowel pins correctly for installing the VCT units and secondary timing chains, then install the camshaft holding tools. Install the VCT units, rotate the crankshaft clockwise to position the keyway in the 11 o'clock position, and install the primary timing chain. Reinstall the valvetrain oil tubes and tighten the bearing cap bolts to the specified torque. The remaining installation steps are the reverse of removal, and before starting the engine, refill the cooling system, change the oil, and install a new oil filter.

It is a very complex structure to work with and in particularly with the timing chains, only special tools designed for working on the 3.7L engine will suffice to undertake the task in order not to damage the engine. As an interference engine the timing chain if snapped this can lead to valve and possibly piston damage, it requires cylinder head removal. Due to the complexity of the timing system, a slight mistake can cause a lot of damage to the engine, thus, they should only be done by highly qualified personnel, and it is always good to cross check all the repairs done before starting the engine. Two special camshaft holding tools (manufacturer tool no. 303-1248) are required for the operations described). Before camshafts can be taken out, the valve clearance should be checked, at the same time the primary timing chain and camshaft VCT unit is to be taken out. To examine hydraulic lifters, one has to first remove camshaft caps while paying attention to their arrangement; after this, camshafts can be pulled out of the cylinder head. Lifters should be removed with magnet and the same placed in a container marked for assembly after the end of the test. After camshaft removal they should be cleaned and checked for wear or damage before Guage dimensions are taken to determine if they meet their specifications. If one finds the camshaft lobes intact and in good condition then it is possible to reuse them. Proper alignment of the crankshaft before application of lubricants on the lifters and camshafts as well as re-fixing the seals that go well with lifters and camshafts. This is done by tightening the camshaft bearing caps in the correct order and also by further adjustments of the valve clearance. Before going ahead with the VCT units and the primary timing chain, the camshaft holding tools must be fitted. The same is true for the 4.0L engine procedure which is quite elaborate and involves the use of special tools and engine pull out. It entails such tasks as, dismantling involving taking off of valve covers, measuring of camshaft end play, loosening of bearing cap screws, and making sure all parts are replaced in their respective positions. During inspection, horn and camshaft journals and lobes are inspected for signs of wear and when this is done, camshaft journals and lobes are measured in relation to their specified measurements and replaced if not as required. Oil clearance checks are made with the use of Plastigage, and should the clearances be large, then the cylinder head has to be replaced. If any had been taken out, they had to be replaced on the same position and then lubricated before having the camshaft caps tightened to the recommended torque setting.

To inspect camshaft lobe lift and measure wear, it is required to have the rocker arms out of the way while the pushrods remain in. Turn the engine until the number one piston is at top dead centre of the compression stroke: install a dial indicator on the cylinder head with its plunger touching the first rocker arm. Aim the needle of the dial indicator at the lowest point of the cam lobe and zero it and slowly turn the crankshaft until the needle deflects in the opposite direction, this gives the maximum cam lobe lift. Note this measurement and move the piston to TDC then follow the same process on the other valves while making sure that every piston is at TDC. After making the above checks, another check can be made to compare it with the specified value; if the lobe lift is below the specified value then cam lobe wear has taken place and this is a sign that you are going to need a new camshaft. For removal, pull out the pushrods and their lifters, timing chain and the sprocket from the camshaft; measure the end play with a dial indicator. In case the play is beyond the measures allowed by the specifications, it is advisable to fit a new thrust plate when installing the new assembly. Withdraw the camshaft slowly, gently to prevent bending the bearings that are sometimes so small that they can hardly be seen. You should check the camshaft for wear, pitting or any form of damage once it has been removed; if the journals are badly worn, both the camshaft and bearings will have to be taken out and this will call for the services of an expert. Check the bearing journals for signs of wear by using a micrometer and examine the lobes for any sign of discoloration or damage, if the camshaft has not been badly abused, it may be reused. The procedure for the balance shaft is similar to the one described above; the thrust plate bolts should be loosened, and the shaft should be guided out; still, it is necessary to remember that any signs of wearing of the bearings might only be seen by a machine shop. The journals ought to be lubricated any time installation is being performed again and the keyway should sit right as it should with the gear. It is also recommended that the camshaft bearing journals and lobes should be lubricated before placing the camshaft into the engine; also aligning the balance shaft gear. Coat the thrust plate with grease and while doing this place it in its proper position, To put it in the right place for reassembly the process is done in the reverse to that of the removal process. Last but not the least; replace the oil as well as oil filter before turning on the engine.