500 Serp Camshaft Change
Discussion
I'm considering tackling changing the camshaft myself on my Griffith serp 500.
It'll be done with engine in car, I know which cam I want (Kent 885 typical standard replacement), I've dialled a couple of 4 cylinder cams in before and I've done my google homework understanding checking RV8 preload.
I know the rough order of work, however, I don't know what I don't know!
Before I jump in, are there any considerations out of the ordinary? what specific things could catch me out?
Thanks, Kev.
It'll be done with engine in car, I know which cam I want (Kent 885 typical standard replacement), I've dialled a couple of 4 cylinder cams in before and I've done my google homework understanding checking RV8 preload.
I know the rough order of work, however, I don't know what I don't know!
Before I jump in, are there any considerations out of the ordinary? what specific things could catch me out?
Thanks, Kev.
Hi Kev,
I've just finished up my Chimaera 450 camshaft and I was expecting a challenge. Assuming everything goes to plan, it's not that complicated. I've not rushed and it took me 2 weekends. If I was to do it again, I could probably do it in one (assuming no problems).
I used my Quickjack (https://www.quickjacklift.co.uk/) to lift the car and I found that invaluable as I removed and cleaned the sump and gaskets. The two bolts at the front of the sump that need to be removed in order to remove the timing cover need to be resealed on my car as the threaded holes pass into the block and are a prime candidate for leaking. Getting underneath for that made it far easier.
Problems I had:
Also, a few of the long bolts that pass through the timing cover also breach the water jacket. The last person to remove this on mine failed to seal them properly on reassembly. As such, one was well and truly welded in and required me to drill it out. I then had to source a new, rather odd-sized bolt from Rimmer Bros.
I needed to shim my rocker pedestals to get the desired preload. I also needed to make a tool for measuring preload. I made a few from thick solder to various thicknesses (20 thou, 40 thou, 60 thou, which enabled me to measure the compression of the piston in the follower. Again, followed advice from others who had done this.
'Degreeing' the cam was new to me and while not complicated in itself, I had to make a device that allowed me to independently rotate the degree wheel and the camshaft. This was a huge pain.
There are quite a few threads in the Chimaera section about this job - so I'd definitely look there for more info.
Hope that helps!
Mark
I've just finished up my Chimaera 450 camshaft and I was expecting a challenge. Assuming everything goes to plan, it's not that complicated. I've not rushed and it took me 2 weekends. If I was to do it again, I could probably do it in one (assuming no problems).
I used my Quickjack (https://www.quickjacklift.co.uk/) to lift the car and I found that invaluable as I removed and cleaned the sump and gaskets. The two bolts at the front of the sump that need to be removed in order to remove the timing cover need to be resealed on my car as the threaded holes pass into the block and are a prime candidate for leaking. Getting underneath for that made it far easier.
Problems I had:
Also, a few of the long bolts that pass through the timing cover also breach the water jacket. The last person to remove this on mine failed to seal them properly on reassembly. As such, one was well and truly welded in and required me to drill it out. I then had to source a new, rather odd-sized bolt from Rimmer Bros.
I needed to shim my rocker pedestals to get the desired preload. I also needed to make a tool for measuring preload. I made a few from thick solder to various thicknesses (20 thou, 40 thou, 60 thou, which enabled me to measure the compression of the piston in the follower. Again, followed advice from others who had done this.
'Degreeing' the cam was new to me and while not complicated in itself, I had to make a device that allowed me to independently rotate the degree wheel and the camshaft. This was a huge pain.
There are quite a few threads in the Chimaera section about this job - so I'd definitely look there for more info.
Hope that helps!
Mark
Got a 03 and 01 block the only open holes are 2nd up from the lowest and these go into the crankcase I guess LR must of been sloppy drilling the earlier blocks , often heard people mention these open to water jacket holes on the earlier blocks 
my 95 I'm using is also blind holed (no bolt holes to water jacket) I stand corrected Jools 
presumed they was all like this 
my 95 I'm using is also blind holed (no bolt holes to water jacket) I stand corrected Jools presumed they was all like this Edited by Zener on Thursday 11th June 10:15
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