Camshaft - LH: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Coat the camshafts with clean engine oil prior to installation.

Position the camshafts onto the LH cylinder head in the neutral position as shown in illustration.

Fig 1: Positioning Camshafts Onto LH Cylinder Head In Neutral Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The crankshaft must remain in the free wheeling position (crankshaft dowel pin at 9 o'clock) until the camshafts are installed and the valve clearance is checked/adjusted. Do not turn the crankshaft until instructed to do so. Failure to follow this process will result in severe engine damage.

Rotate the crankshaft couterclockwise until the crankshaft dowel pin is in the 9 o'clock position.

Fig 2: Locating Crankshaft Dowel Pin At 9 O'Clock Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The camshaft seal gaps must be at the 12 o'clock position or damage to the engine may occur.

Position the 4 camshaft seals gaps as shown in illustration.

Fig 3: Locating Camshaft Seals Gaps
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Cylinder head camshaft bearing caps are numbered to verify that they are assembled in their original positions.

Install the 5 camshaft caps, mega cap, valve train oil tube and the 15 bolts in the sequence shown in illustration.
- Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in) then additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Cylinder Head Camshaft Bearing Caps Bolts Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Loosen the 4 camshaft caps bolts.

Fig 5: Locating Camshaft Caps Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Tighten the 4 camshaft caps bolts in the sequence shown in illustration.
- Tighten bolts 8, 9, 10 and 11 to 8 Nm (71 lb-in) then additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Camshaft Caps Bolts Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: If any components are installed new, the engine valve clearance must be checked/adjusted or engine damage may occur.

NOTE: Use a camshaft sprocket bolt to turn the camshafts.

Using a feeler gauge, confirm that the valve tappet clearances are within specification. If valve tappet clearances are not within specification, the clearance must be adjusted by installing new valve tappet(s) of the correct size. For additional information, refer to VALVE CLEARANCE CHECK .

Fig 7: Measuring Valve Tappet Clearance Using Feeler Gauge
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 bolts and the LH valve train oil tube.

Fig 8: Locating Bolts And LH Valve Train Oil Tube
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the LH camshafts to the TDC position as shown in illustration.

Fig 9: Locating LH Camshafts At TDC Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the TDC position.

Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the LH camshafts.

Fig 10: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and install the Secondary Chain Hold Down to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.

Fig 11: Compressing LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner Using Secondary Chain Hold Down
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Assemble the 2 LH VCT assemblies and the LH secondary timing chain.
- Align the colored links with the timing marks.
  
  Fig 12: Aligning Colored Links With Timing Marks
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly, to install the LH secondary timing assembly.

Position the 2 LH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain onto the camshafts by aligning the holes in the VCT assemblies with the dowel pins in the camshafts.

Fig 13: Aligning Holes In VCT Assemblies With Dowel Pins In Camshafts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the 2 new LH VCT bolts and tighten in 4 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Loosen one full turn.
- Stage 3: Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
- Stage 4: Tighten an additional 180 degrees.
  
  Fig 14: Locating LH VCT Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The 2 VCT oil control solenoids are removed for clarity.

Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and remove the Secondary Chain Hold Down.
- Make sure the secondary timing chain is centered on the timing chain tensioner guides.
  
  Fig 15: Locating LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner And Secondary Chain Hold Down
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the crankshaft clockwise 60 degrees to TDC position (crankshaft dowel pin at the 11 o'clock position).

Fig 16: Locating Crankshaft Dowel Pin At 11 O'Clock Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly, to align the timing marks.

Install the primary timing chain with the colored links aligned with the timing marks on the VCT assemblies and the crankshaft sprocket.

Fig 17: Aligning Primary Timing Chain Colored Links With Timing Marks On VCT Assemblies And Crankshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the lower LH primary timing chain guide and the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
  
  Fig 18: Locating Bolts And Lower LH Primary Timing Chain Guide
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the primary timing chain tensioner arm.

Fig 19: Identifying Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Reset the primary timing chain tensioner.
1. Release the ratchet detent.
2. Using a soft-jawed vise, compress the ratchet plunger.
3. Align the hole in the ratchet plunger with the hole in the tensioner housing and Install a suitable lockpin.
  
  Fig 20: Resetting Primary Timing Chain Tensioner
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly to remove slack from the timing chain to install the tensioner.

Install the primary timing chain tensioner and the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Remove the lockpin.
  
  Fig 21: Locating Primary Tensioner Bolts And Lockpin
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
As a post-check, verify correct alignment of all timing marks.
- There is 48 links in between the RH intake VCT assembly colored link (1) and the LH intake VCT assembly colored link (2).
- There is 35 links in between RH intake VCT assembly colored link (2) and the 2 crankshaft sprocket links (3).
  
  Fig 22: Checking Correct Alignment Of All Timing Marks
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Do not use excessive force when installing the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) oil control solenoid. Damage to the mega cap could cause the cylinder head to be inoperable. If difficult to install the VCT oil control solenoid, inspect the bore and VCT oil control solenoid to ensure there are no burrs, sharp edges or contaminants present on the mating surface. Only clean the external surfaces as necessary.

NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the installation of the VCT oil control solenoid.

NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

Install the LH intake VCT oil control solenoid and the bolt.
- Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in) then an additional 20 degrees.
  
  Fig 23: Locating Bolt And LH Intake VCT Oil Control Solenoid
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Do not use excessive force when installing the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) oil control solenoid. Damage to the mega cap could cause the cylinder head to be inoperable. If difficult to install the VCT oil control solenoid, inspect the bore and VCT oil control solenoid to ensure there are no burrs, sharp edges or contaminants present on the mating surface. Only clean the external surfaces as necessary.

NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the installation of the VCT oil control solenoid.

NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

Install the RH intake VCT oil control solenoid and the bolt.
- Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in) then an additional 20 degrees.
  
  Fig 24: Locating Bolt And RH Intake VCT Oil Control Solenoid
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the RH Camshaft Holding Tool.

Fig 25: Identifying RH Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the RH valve train oil tube and the 3 bolts and tighten in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 26: Locating Bolts And RH Valve Train Oil Tube
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the LH Camshaft Holding Tool.

Fig 27: Identifying LH Camshaft Holding Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the LH valve train oil tube and the 3 bolts and tighten in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 28: Locating Bolts And LH Valve Train Oil Tube
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to ENGINE FRONT COVER .