Camshaft - LH: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Ford Pickup, 2007 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2007 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2007 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: The camshaft procedure must be followed exactly or damage to the valves and pistons will result.

Position the crankshaft damper spoke at the 12 o'clock position and the timing mark indentation at the 1 o'clock position.

Fig 1: Locating Crankshaft Damper Spoke Timing Mark
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the LH valve cover. For additional information, refer to Valve Cover - LH in this article.

NOTE: The balance shaft bearing caps must be installed in their original locations, or engine damage may occur. Record camshaft bearing cap locations.

Fig 2: Identifying Balance Shaft Bolt Loosening/Tightening Sequence

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 6 bolts in the sequence shown, the 3 bearing caps and the balance shaft.

CAUTION: Only use hand tools to loosen the sprocket bolt or damage to the camshaft or camshaft sprocket may occur.

Fig 3: Identifying LH Camshaft Sprocket Bolt

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Loosen and back off the LH camshaft sprocket bolt one full turn.

CAUTION: If servicing both camshafts, do not rotate the crankshaft or engine damage may occur. Camshaft position has been established in Step 6.

NOTE: If the camshaft lobes are not exactly positioned as shown, the crankshaft keyway will require one full additional rotation to 12 o'clock. Do not rotate the crankshaft if servicing both camshafts.

Fig 4: Identifying Intake Camshaft Lobes And Exhaust Lobe On No. 6 Cylinder Position

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

The No. 6 cylinder camshaft exhaust lobe must be coming up on the exhaust stroke. Verify by noting the position of the 2 intake camshaft lobes and the exhaust lobe on the No. 6 cylinder.
Remove only the 4 camshaft roller followers shown in the illustration.

Fig 5: Locating Camshaft Roller Followers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: The camshaft roller followers must be installed in their original locations or engine damage may occur. Record camshaft roller follower locations.

NOTE: Do not allow the valve keepers to fall off the valve or the valve may drop into the cylinder. If a valve drops into the cylinder, the cylinder head must be removed. For additional information, refer to Cylinder Head in this article.

NOTE: It may be necessary to push the valve down while compressing the spring.

Fig 6: Compressing Spring Using Special Tool

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using the special tool, remove only the 4 camshaft roller followers designated in the previous step.

CAUTION: The crankshaft cannot be moved past the 6 o'clock position once set. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine damage.

Fig 7: Positioning Crankshaft Damper Spoke At 6 O'clock Position And Timing Mark Indentation At 7 O'clock Position

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Rotate the crankshaft clockwise, as viewed from the front, positioning the crankshaft damper spoke at the 6 o'clock position and the timing mark indentation at the 7 o'clock position.

CAUTION: Engine is not freewheeling. Camshaft procedure must be followed exactly or damage to valves and pistons will result.

NOTE: The timing chain wedge tool must be installed square to the timing chain and the engine block or engine damage may occur.

NOTE: Front cover removed for clarity.

Fig 8: Installing Special Tool In LH Timing Chain

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the special tool in the LH timing chain as shown.

CAUTION: Do not remove the timing chain wedge tool at any time during assembly. If the special tool is removed or out of placement, the engine front cover must be removed and the engine must be retimed. For additional information, refer to Timing Drive Components in this article.

CAUTION: The timing chain must be installed in its original position onto the camshaft sprocket using the scribed marks, or damage to valves and pistons will result.

Fig 9: Identifying Camshaft Sprocket And Timing Chain Scribe Marks

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Scribe a location mark on the timing chain and the camshaft phaser sprocket assembly.

CAUTION: Remove the front thrust camshaft bearing cap straight upward from the bearing towers, or the bearing cap may be damaged from sideloading.

Fig 10: Identifying Camshaft Front Bearing Cap Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 2 bolts and the camshaft front bearing cap.

CAUTION: The camshaft bearing caps must be installed in their original locations. Record camshaft bearing cap locations. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine damage.

Fig 11: Removing Camshaft Bearing Caps Bolts In Sequence

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the remaining bolts in the sequence shown and remove the camshaft bearing caps.
Clean and inspect the LH camshaft bearing caps.
- The camshaft front thrust bearing cap contains an oil metering groove. Make sure the groove is free of foreign material.
Fig 12: Identifying Camshaft Front Thrust Bearing Cap Oil Metering Groove
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Only use hand tools to remove the camshaft sprocket bolt or damage may occur to the camshaft or camshaft sprocket.

Fig 13: Identifying LH Camshaft Sprocket Bolt

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the bolt and withdraw the camshaft from the sprocket assembly leaving the sprocket assembly and timing chain in place.
- Discard the bolt and washer.