Cam Housing on Head on Cylinder Install

[SchnellSchweitz]

Ok.... This is a question I have now that I am about to install heads on cylinders.

Wayne's book describes a method where the cam housing, head and cylinder are installed and tightened down together (or in a three step process). (Pg 153-155)

In other words, his book says to have all three heads installed on one side (but not torqued) ready to accept the cam housing. I believe he recommends tightening down the heads after the cam housing is on.

I may be missing something here, but it "seems" like it would be easier and safer to install the heads on each cylinder and tighten them down individually. Once the three heads are sealed and torqued to spec, the cam housing installation could be implemented without rush.

Am I missing something here? It does not appear the cam housing needs to be involved with this process until after the heads and cylinders are fully installed.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

Eric J.

[Emery G.]

The point of doing it the way the book describes is to allow each head to fully seat and seal to the cam housing. There is a school of thought that says if you torque down the heads then install the cam tower it may not seal propperly. I was taught to do it the way it's described in the book and i havent had an engine leak in that area after all was said and done.

[john walker's workshop]

personally, i install the heads on the tower, with your sealer of choice, tighten the nuts, install cam, rockers and shafts, turn cam so the keyway is up and install the whole works over the cylinders. engine on TDC #1 or #4 when you do this. (distributor not installed yet, or #1 if the distributor is still in the case). seems way easier to me.

[Flat6pac]

You want to keep the heads loose inorder to line up the cam carrier. There is 18 studs you have to hit accurately and if the heads are torqued individually its a job almost impossible.
Picture is a subassembly, the way I do it. On the table I place the heads, seal them, place cam carrier and put 18 nuts in place. Install the cam and rockers and adjust the valves remembering the cam turns counterclock wise.
Remember to grease the oil return tubes liberally and have the cylinder dividers in place.

Bruce

[SchnellSchweitz]

Love the responses.... I think I'm going to do it John's and Bruce's way. The pics are a big help.

Thanks everyone!

Eric J.

[lucittm]

Bruce,
What is that piece of gizmocketry you have to hold your dial indicator in place. Very neat.

Mark

[Flat6pac]

Years ago sold by Performance Products and PB Tweeks it holds the dial guage onto the stud so you can rock the rocker and get a reading instead of using a feeler guage. The dial guage fits against the back of the rocker to measure the lash.
I dont see it in the Performance catalog tonight

Bruce