how hard is it to install cams?

[OS]

I bought some cams, but I've never installed anything like this. I just know how to do simple things like brake jobs and oil changes.

This is on a DOHC I4 accord. The tricky part seems to be not to lose the timing of the system, so I'm told to use big ass black paper clamps and clamp the gears to the chain. And use a bungie cord to hold up the chain.

I had these delivered to my parents house and I went home to pick them up, my dad had this WTF look on his face and was telling me that I was gonna screw up my car.

 

[blahblah99]

Originally posted by: OS
I bought some cams, but I've never installed anything like this. I just know how to do simple things like brake jobs and oil changes.

This is on a DOHC I4 accord. The tricky part seems to be not to lose the timing of the system, so I'm told to use big ass black paper clamps and clamp the gears to the chain. And use a bungie cord to hold up the chain.

I had these delivered to my parents house and I went home to pick them up, my dad had this WTF look on his face and was telling me that I was gonna screw up my car.

Your dad's right. It's not a "replaced my intake in 15 mins" type of job. And if you never changed a timing belt before, then you'll certainly have trouble with changing cams.

 

[Shawn]

Well I doubt it'll be easy. I have yet to mess with the internals of my engine because getting the timing correct is such a bitch.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: blahblah99
Your dad's right. It's not a "replaced my intake in 15 mins" type of job. And if you never changed a timing belt before, then you'll certainly have trouble with changing cams.

I figure worst case I have it towed to a shop and have them install it.

I'm told for this engine if you wedge the tensioner, clamp the gears, hold up the chain, you don't need to realign the timing nor readjust the tensioner.

 

[blahblah99]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: blahblah99
Your dad's right. It's not a "replaced my intake in 15 mins" type of job. And if you never changed a timing belt before, then you'll certainly have trouble with changing cams.

I figure worst case I have it towed to a shop and have them install it.

I'm told for this engine if you wedge the tensioner, clamp the gears, hold up the chain, you don't need to realign the timing nor readjust the tensioner.

Worse case, you'll end up replacing your whole head and valve train.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: blahblah99

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: blahblah99
Your dad's right. It's not a "replaced my intake in 15 mins" type of job. And if you never changed a timing belt before, then you'll certainly have trouble with changing cams.

I figure worst case I have it towed to a shop and have them install it.

I'm told for this engine if you wedge the tensioner, clamp the gears, hold up the chain, you don't need to realign the timing nor readjust the tensioner.

Worse case, you'll end up replacing your whole head and valve train.

I can live with that. I've priced out motors for this car, I can afford to blow up 10+ of these and have enough cash on hand to pay for all of them.

 

[KingNothing]

Your sig seems appropriate.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Timing chain? Unless it's very new, the Honda uses a timing belt.

ZV

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Timing chain? Unless it's very new, the Honda uses a timing belt.

ZV

2003, it is a chain.

If I didn't even know that, I probably wouldn't be serious about this.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Timing chain? Unless it's very new, the Honda uses a timing belt.

ZV

2003, it is a chain.

If I didn't even know that, I probably wouldn't be serious about this.

Just double-checking.

ZV

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
Your sig seems appropriate.

I haven't blown anything up yet, and hope not to. But I can afford the consequences if it comes down to it.

 

[blahblah99]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: KingNothing
Your sig seems appropriate.

I haven't blown anything up yet, and hope not to. But I can afford the consequences if it comes down to it.

In that case, turbocharge your motor. Best bang for the buck.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: blahblah99

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: KingNothing
Your sig seems appropriate.

I haven't blown anything up yet, and hope not to. But I can afford the consequences if it comes down to it.

In that case, turbocharge your motor. Best bang for the buck.

I only paid $100 for the cams.

Besides, N2O is even cheaper than turbo.

 

[TechnoKid]

Camshafts? Cam sprokets? Are your oem ones bad or something?

Its not that hard, and certainly not easy but I wouldn't count on those "tricks" to work so you don't have to set the timing/rotate the engine by hand to check. Your still going to have to check it, so be preppared to have to adjust it.

 

[Pacfanweb]

If all you've done is brake jobs and other light work, you don't want any part of a cam. Take it to someone who knows what he's doing, or at least get someone who's done it before to help you. If you have a desire to learn, nothing like helping someone who already knows how to do it.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
If all you've done is brake jobs and other light work, you don't want any part of a cam. Take it to someone who knows what he's doing, or at least get someone who's done it before to help you. If you have a desire to learn, nothing like helping someone who already knows how to do it.

Yeah there's one guy at work who is more inclined than me so I'll ask. Funny thing is my dad has done timing belts before, I'm pretty sure he has the ability to help me, but I don't think he wants any part of this, lol.

The guy I bought them from runs a shop and he says he charges $75 on this family engine because it's easier than other motors. If it weren't for the fact this guy is in texas I would have had him do it already.

 

[IGBT]

..may not pass smog anymore if you fiddle wit the cam.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: blahblah99

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: KingNothing
Your sig seems appropriate.

I haven't blown anything up yet, and hope not to. But I can afford the consequences if it comes down to it.

In that case, turbocharge your motor. Best bang for the buck.

I only paid $100 for the cams.

Besides, N2O is even cheaper than turbo.

if you only paid $100 for the cams, I really question their performance gain.

Have they been dyno-tested by other folks in the Accord community? How does it affect the power curve?

Most cams are usually in the $300 range aren't they?

 

[OS]

pic of the cams

minor problem

The seller says he can refund me the money or get me another one. Haven't decided yet.

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
if you only paid $100 for the cams, I really question their performance gain.

Have they been dyno-tested by other folks in the Accord community? How does it affect the power curve?

Most cams are usually in the $300 range aren't they?

They are cams from a civic SI, the engine family is the same. The accord these days has a CRV motor (truck motor) and they both have the same part number for cams. The civic SI has more aggressive cams to get the same 160 HP from a smaller 2.0L motor (vs 2.4L). AFAIK no one has done this before so I will be the first if I end up doing it. In theory there should be some significant gains since the CRV cams breathe poorly at high RPMs, this should alleviate that.

These particular cams are $300+ each from the dealer. Aftermarket ones are about the same price.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: blahblah99

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: blahblah99
Your dad's right. It's not a "replaced my intake in 15 mins" type of job. And if you never changed a timing belt before, then you'll certainly have trouble with changing cams.

I figure worst case I have it towed to a shop and have them install it.

I'm told for this engine if you wedge the tensioner, clamp the gears, hold up the chain, you don't need to realign the timing nor readjust the tensioner.

Worse case, you'll end up replacing your whole head and valve train.

I can live with that. I've priced out motors for this car, I can afford to blow up 10+ of these and have enough cash on hand to pay for all of them.

then why not just pay to have it done? :disgust:

 

[iamme]

am i the only one who click here, thinking OS was starting a webcam site?

*looks in gutter to find mind*

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: quakefiend420
then why not just pay to have it done? :disgust:

cause I want to learn?

 

[TechnoKid]

I would NOT install those cams with that chip in the keyway slot. If that were to wear anymore or slip, bam! there goes your engine.

edit: you may be able to take it to a reapir shop to have if welded/filled and remachined...but dont' count on it holding up.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I would NOT install those cams with that chip in the keyway slot. If that were to wear anymore or slip, bam! there goes your engine.

yeah I know, I have already discussed this with the vendor and he says he will refund me or get me another.

 

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I would NOT install those cams with that chip in the keyway slot. If that were to wear anymore or slip, bam! there goes your engine.

yeah I know, I have already discussed this with the vendor and he says he will refund me or get me another.

I hope you have that in writing.