Cam binding on one side

[JeremyD]

I installed the cam housings - first one went without a hitch. Cam spins freely.

2nd one just binding just a little.

Now I loosened it up and then torqued down again - and it made it a little better. will retorquing with a different pattern make much of a difference? Can you put the cam in and torque - spinning the cam to make sure it doesn;t bind as you go from one bolt to another? Does it make a difference going from outside in?

Anybody have any other suggesstions? I am trying to avoid taking the cam housing off again - it such a pain to have to clean all the gasket crap off another time.

Oh, what says you oh wise ones?

[asphaltgambler]

You might try a third re-torque to see if any thig changes. You may have a cylinder that's slightly higher or lower than the other two in that group.

[JeremyD]

I ran a straight edge - and it looked good - but I will try a 3rd go around

[ChrisBennet]

You can torque them while spinning the cam to determine binding and adjust the torque accordingly. It's kind of a hack if you ask me but if the case spigots aren't even heights and you aren't decking the case to correct this, what are you going to do?
I would remove the cam housing, clean the sealant off the heads and put a machinist's straight edge or piece of "ground stock" across the tops of the heads and make sure that they were all the same height. If they aren't even, do the same for the other side. Maybe you mixed up the heads or cylinder heights and you can just swap them around? You need 3 pairs of cylinders+heads that are the same height on one side of the motor. They don't necessarily need to be the exact same height as the ones on the other side of the motor.
To get the gasket off, use Permatex gasket remover spray. Make some little aluminum foil condoms to put over the valve springs before you spray. Be careful not to get it on any paint (like your engine stand) as it will take the paint off. Don't ask me how I know.
-Chris
EDIT: Guess those guys beat me to it. It has to be a real straight edge not some sort of measuring rule with a "straight" edge.

[hobieboy]

Have you tried different torque pattern? Changing the pattern did the trick for me.

[JeremyD]

More details please...outside in?left to right?

[JeremyD]

Ok - thank you - I retorqued - no hack jobs - just followed a different sequence - and BANG - the camshaft now spins easily - Didn't have to remove the loctite - didn;t have to remove anything - woo woo! I'm pretty happy right now... woo woo!

[Jim Sims]

How long did all of this take? After 30 minutes or so one shouldn't disturb the Loctite 574 or there may be leaks. Jim

[strokher racing]

Jeremy, I am assuming you got your heads flame ringed? Is this the same engine?

[JeremyD]

yep

[hobieboy]

Jeremy... congrats!

Sorry - I didn't check the forum for a few days but you did exactly what I did. Follow a different pattern/sequence. Pretty much trial & error but it worked.