Removal & Installation: Camshaft: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1992 Mercury Tracer, 1992 Ford Escort, 1991 Mercury Tracer, and 1991 Ford Escort. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove air intake duct. Disconnect breather hose and spark plug wire retainers from valve cover. Remove retaining bolts, valve cover and gasket.
Rotate engine so cylinder No. 1 is at TDC of compression stroke. Remove rocker arm bolt, fulcrum, rocker arm, valve lifter guide retainer, valve lifter guide and valve lifter. See Fig 1. Mark component location for reassembly reference.

Fig 1: Exploded View of Rocker Arms & Valve Lifters
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove timing belt and camshaft sprocket. See TIMING BELT in this article.
CAUTION: DO NOT rotate camshaft or crankshaft with timing belt removed.
Remove ignition coil assembly from cylinder head. Check camshaft end play. Replace thrust plate and/or camshaft if end play is not within specification. See CAMSHAFT table in ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS at end of article.
Remove cam position sensor. See Figure. Remove camshaft thrust plate. See Fig 1. Remove cup plug from rear of cylinder head. Remove camshaft through rear (transaxle side) of cylinder head. Remove camshaft seal from cylinder head.

NOTE: Engine may be equipped with oversize valve lifters or camshaft journals. See SPECIAL ENGINE MARKS under ENGINE IDENTIFICATION .