Camshaft Journal Wear

Check camshaft journals and camshaft housings for pitting, scratches, wear or damage.

If any malcondition is found, replace camshaft or cylinder head with housing. Never replace cylinder head without replacing housings.

Fig 1: Checking Camshaft Journals & Camshaft Housings For Wear Or Damage

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Check clearance by using gauging plastic. The procedure is as follows.

1. Clean housings and camshaft journals.
2. Make sure that all valve lash adjusters are removed and install camshaft to cylinder head.
3. Place a piece of gauging plastic the full width of journal of camshaft (parallel to camshaft).
4. Install camshaft housing.
5. Tighten camshaft housing bolts in such order ([A]: "1" - "17", [B]: "1" - "19") as indicated in the figure a little at a time till they are tightened to specified torque.
   NOTE: Do not rotate camshaft while gauging plastic is installed.
   Fig 2: Tightening Bolts In Sequence

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6. Remove housing, and using scale (2) on gauging plastic envelop, measure gauging plastic width at its widest point.

   Camshaft journal clearance

   Standard: 0.045 - 0.099 mm (0.0018 - 0.0029 in.) 

   Limit: 0.12 mm (0.0047 in.) 

   Fig 3: Measuring Gauging Plastic Width

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   If measured camshaft journal clearance exceeds limit, measure journal (housing) bore and outside diameter of camshaft journal. Replace camshaft or cylinder head assembly whichever the difference from specification is greater.

   Camshaft journal bore diameter (In and Ex)

   Standard: 26.000 - 26.033 mm (1.0237 - 1.0249 in.) 

   Camshaft journal O.D. (In and Ex)

   Standard: 25.934 - 25.955 mm (1.0211 - 1.0218 in.) 

Fig 4: Measuring Camshaft Journal Bore Diameter

Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.