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Camshaft installation cost
jono2020 - 10/2/11 at 10:10 PM

Im considering getting some new cams fitted on my zetec engine. Thinking bout getting newman cams... Anyone have any idea roughly how long it takes to install them as my garage charges £50 an hour and trying to work out how much its gonna cost me


omega0684 - 10/2/11 at 10:19 PM

can't you do it yourself?


tegwin - 10/2/11 at 10:31 PM

If you are really not happy doing it yourself, I know a chap in Malvern who might do it for much more reasonable money...!? U2u me if that sounds useful


big_wasa - 10/2/11 at 10:34 PM

If the new cams have the same locking slot then installing them is a piece of cake. To get the best from them you will need to swing them on a dyno.

Find some one locall to do it for a couple of beers. It really is a saturday morning job.


hobbsy - 10/2/11 at 10:44 PM

If you're not going to time them in with adjustable pulleys then its they are quite easy to fit yourself. As long as you don't loose the cam timing. I've not worked on a Zetec but often you can cable tie the belt / chain to the pulleys while changing cams so you don't lose the timing.

[Edited on 10/2/11 by hobbsy]


NigeEss - 11/2/11 at 12:29 AM

Cable ties work to a degree, my trusted method utilises Tippex.


Put a line of white on thecrank pulley extended to the belt. Repeat on a cam but two lines.
Three on the second cam. Mark a direction arrow on the belt.
Lay the new and old belts together on a flat surface and transfer the marks.
After fitting new belt turn the engine by hand (plugs out makes it easier) at least two revolutions
and align timing marks to double check all is well.


Beauty of this method is it can be done away from TDC so no chance of damaging a valve should
a cam spring round as the belt is released.

Does work with chains but need a bit of solvent to clean the oily bits so the Tippex will stick.


snapper - 11/2/11 at 06:15 AM

Is this a replacement of standard cams or an upgrade to sportier ones?
Stand cams as above but why change them if they work ok and look unworn?
If a sportier set you will need vernier pulleys or they will not produce the power stated.


MakeEverything - 11/2/11 at 08:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by snapper
If a sportier set you will need vernier pulleys or they will not produce the power stated.


They should do, as the lobes will alter the opening times and overlap rather than the pulley. Vernier pulleys just allow you to alter static timing, but if you set the sporty cams to recommended angle at TDC then they should work.


MikeRJ - 11/2/11 at 11:38 AM

quote:
Originally posted by MakeEverything
quote:
Originally posted by snapper
If a sportier set you will need vernier pulleys or they will not produce the power stated.


They should do, as the lobes will alter the opening times and overlap rather than the pulley. Vernier pulleys just allow you to alter static timing, but if you set the sporty cams to recommended angle at TDC then they should work.


IIRC Zetec don't have any positive location between the pulleys and the cams, in which case vernier pulleys are simply a convenience. A DTI (or preferably two) is needed for accurate setting though.