Section 10 (Engine Mechanical - 3.5L): Removal: Camshaft

Tool, Camshaft Holding 303-1248

All camshafts 

1. Remove the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to ENGINE FRONT COVER  .
2. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks on the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) assemblies as shown in illustration.
   Fig 1: Location of Variable Camshaft Timing Assemblies

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the Top Dead Center (TDC) position.
Fig 2: Installing Camshaft Holding Tool Onto Flats Of LH Camshafts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
3. Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the LH camshafts.
NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the TDC position.
Fig 3: Installing Camshaft Holding Tool Onto Flats Of RH Camshafts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the RH camshafts.
5. Remove the 3 bolts and the RH VCT housing.
   Fig 4: Location of RH VCT Housing Bolts

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Remove the 3 bolts and the LH VCT housing.
   Fig 5: Location of LH VCT Housing Bolts

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
   NOTE: The following 3 steps are for primary timing chains when the colored links are not visible.
7. Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the RH intake VCT assembly as shown in illustration.
   Fig 6: Aligning Timing Chain Link Mark With Timing Mark On RH Intake VCT Assembly

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the LH intake VCT assembly as shown in illustration.
   Fig 7: Aligning Timing Chain Link Mark With Timing Mark On LH Intake VCT Assembly

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The crankshaft sprocket timing mark should be between the 2 colored links.
Fig 8: Aligning Timing Chain Links Mark With Timing Mark On Crankshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Mark the 2 timing chain links that align with the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket as shown in illustration.
10. Remove the 2 bolts and the primary timing chain tensioner.
    Fig 9: Location of Bolts And Primary Timing Chain Tensioner

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Remove the primary timing chain tensioner arm.
    Fig 10: Location of Primary Timing Chain Tensioner Arm

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
12. Remove the 2 bolts and the lower LH primary timing chain guide.
    Fig 11: Location of Bolts And Lower LH Primary Timing Chain Guide

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Remove the primary timing chain.
    Fig 12: Location of Primary Timing Chain & Routing

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    LH camshafts 

14. Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and install a suitable lockpin to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.
    Fig 13: Compressing LH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The VCT bolt and the exhaust camshaft bolt must be discarded and new ones installed. However, the exhaust camshaft washer is reusable.
15. Remove and discard the LH VCT assembly bolt and the LH exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt.
    • Remove the LH VCT assembly, secondary timing chain and the LH exhaust camshaft sprocket as an assembly.
      Fig 14: Location of VCT Bolt And Exhaust Camshaft Bolt

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: When the Camshaft Holding Tool is removed, valve spring pressure will rotate the LH camshafts approximately 3 degrees to a neutral position.
Fig 15: Identifying Camshaft Holding Tool
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16. Remove the Camshaft Holding Tool from the LH camshafts.
NOTE: The camshafts must remain in the neutral position during removal or engine damage may occur.
Fig 16: Location of Camshafts In Neutral Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. Verify the LH camshafts are in the neutral position.
NOTE: Cylinder head camshaft bearing caps are numbered to verify that they are assembled in their original positions.
18. Remove the bolts and the LH camshaft bearing caps.
    • Remove the LH camshafts.
      Fig 17: Location of LH Camshaft Bearing Caps Bolts

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    RH camshafts 

19. Compress the RH secondary timing chain tensioner and install a suitable lockpin to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.
    Fig 18: Compressing RH Secondary Timing Chain Tensioner

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The VCT bolt and the exhaust camshaft bolt must be discarded and new ones installed. However, the exhaust camshaft washer is reusable.
20. Remove and discard the RH VCT assembly bolt and the RH exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt.
    • Remove the RH VCT assembly, secondary timing chain and the RH exhaust camshaft sprocket as an assembly.
      Fig 19: Location of VCT Assembly Bolt And RH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket Bolt

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
21. Remove the Camshaft Holding Tool from the RH camshafts.
    Fig 20: Removing Camshaft Holding Tool From RH Camshafts

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The camshafts must remain in the neutral position during removal or engine damage may occur.
Fig 21: Location of Camshafts In Neutral Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
22. Rotate the RH camshafts counterclockwise to the neutral position.
NOTE: Cylinder head camshaft bearing caps are numbered to verify that they are assembled in their original positions.
23. Remove the bolts and the RH camshaft bearing caps.
    • Remove the RH camshafts.
      Fig 22: Location of RH Camshaft Bearing Caps Bolts

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.