Kv6 cylinder head rebuild query

chris75 · 9th February 2019, 16:14

I am gradually refurbing a pair of v6 heads with a view to replacing the ones on my car with them ; valve stems oil seals are worn out on the originals !
I am ready to replace the camshaft housing onto the head but have a query over the camshafts . Haynes and RAVE both say that when the camshafts are laid into the head , the slots at the rear end should be aligned at 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock whilst the shafts are loose. I am not able to achieve this ; the exhaust shaft sits at 8 o'clock ok but the inlet shaft sits at 3 o'clock, apparently due to being held raised by the last two tappets which are a bit bouncy . Probably air in them ?
I suspect they will compress when I tighten down the housing , but would ask if this is an issue or anyone has encountered or dealt with this before ?

chris75 · 10th February 2019, 19:48

Anybody ?

SD1too · 11th February 2019, 08:07

I have a couple of questions for you Chris. I have never removed my cylinder heads to I am asking for information, not passing judgement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris75

... the last two tappets which are a bit bouncy . Probably air in them ?

Isn't the recommended procedure to soak them in engine oil before refitting?

Won't the inlet camshaft's position be corrected when you use the special tools to move it when refitting the belts?

Simon

chris75 · 11th February 2019, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Isn't the recommended procedure to soak them in engine oil before refitting?

Won't the inlet camshaft's position be corrected when you use the special tools to move it when refitting the belts?

Simon

Hi Simon ,
Yes , good practice is indeed to soak them in oil to prevent them drying out . I did this , but neither Haynes or Rave suggest it

Yes , the tools will align the shafts for timing purposes . I think the 8 /4 oclock positions just aids assembly by setting them at their lowest seated position . Again …..

I think I will carefully dry-fit the cam housing just to check there are no issues with anything fitting ok . If all is well I will redo it with the sealant added to the cam housing

chris75 · 11th February 2019, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris75

I think I will carefully dry-fit the cam housing just to check there are no issues with anything fitting ok . If all is well I will redo it with the sealant added to the cam housing

Well , that worked !

All torqued down and the camshafts rotate ok . The inlet cam notch still sits at 3 o'clock so I give in ; perhaps the 2.0 litre is different to the 2.5 ? Who knows

I used Loctite 574 to seal the face joint . The hardest part of the job was figuring out how to open the tube ; there is a secret valve on the nozzle !

minimutly · 12th February 2019, 17:49

You make absolutely certain you pour engine oil over BOTH heads once torqued onto the block, before you start that engine. you don't want those cams spinning even once in the heads dry.

Rich in Vancouver · 16th February 2019, 04:50

When I did mine I used a generous amount of assembly lube on the cam bearings and lobes. The cams will be in proper alignment when timed. It's the shape of the lobes that have them out of alignment before the belts go on.

chris75 · 16th February 2019, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich in Vancouver

……………... It's the shape of the lobes that have them out of alignment before the belts go on.

Thanks Rich . I realise that the lobes will dictate the position of the shafts when first laying them in . It's just that the manuals say the rear end notches can be aligned at 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock , and they can't !
Did you notice this when you did it ?

9th February 2019, 16:14	#1
chris75 same car since 2005 2001 Rover 75 2.0 v6 Connoisseur Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ellesmere Port , Cheshire Posts: 3,811 Thanks: 379 Thanked 549 Times in 466 Posts	Kv6 cylinder head rebuild query I am gradually refurbing a pair of v6 heads with a view to replacing the ones on my car with them ; valve stems oil seals are worn out on the originals ! I am ready to replace the camshaft housing onto the head but have a query over the camshafts . Haynes and RAVE both say that when the camshafts are laid into the head , the slots at the rear end should be aligned at 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock whilst the shafts are loose. I am not able to achieve this ; the exhaust shaft sits at 8 o'clock ok but the inlet shaft sits at 3 o'clock, apparently due to being held raised by the last two tappets which are a bit bouncy . Probably air in them ? I suspect they will compress when I tighten down the housing , but would ask if this is an issue or anyone has encountered or dealt with this before ? __________________ Who said it was simples ? Last edited by chris75; 9th February 2019 at 16:23..

10th February 2019, 19:48	#2
chris75 same car since 2005 2001 Rover 75 2.0 v6 Connoisseur Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ellesmere Port , Cheshire Posts: 3,811 Thanks: 379 Thanked 549 Times in 466 Posts	Anybody ? __________________ Who said it was simples ?

12th February 2019, 17:49	#6
minimutly Posted a thing or two mg zt Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: cardigan Posts: 1,087 Thanks: 28 Thanked 187 Times in 158 Posts	You make absolutely certain you pour engine oil over BOTH heads once torqued onto the block, before you start that engine. you don't want those cams spinning even once in the heads dry.

16th February 2019, 04:50	#7
Rich in Vancouver Gets stuck in MG ZT-T Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: White Rock, BC on Canada's Pacific Coast Posts: 849 Thanks: 338 Thanked 367 Times in 210 Posts	When I did mine I used a generous amount of assembly lube on the cam bearings and lobes. The cams will be in proper alignment when timed. It's the shape of the lobes that have them out of alignment before the belts go on.