• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

need help with cam removal

  • Thread starter Thread starter russ1979
  • Start date Start date Nov 15, 2007

russ1979

Member
Oct 6, 2006
152
0
16
albuquerque, new mexico
Nov 15, 2007
#1
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #1
the eng. is out of the car and on a stand. the water pump and just about everything
is off. i've takin off all the timing cover blots. but it seems like it's still being held on
by the crank pulley (the only pulley left) and dampener. every time i i try to take the bolts off it just spins the crank.
--do i need a specal tool or are there any tricks i can use?
any help would be great
 

PUNISHER RACING

Active Member
Aug 27, 2007
1,124
0
36
FORD CITY, PA.
Nov 15, 2007
#2
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #2
the dampner has to be removed first, you can use an air gun or a ratchet and hit the ratchet handle with a hammer to impact it off. You will also need a dampner puller unless you are blessed with a dampner Ford didn't beat on. You can then remove your cover, timing chain, cam plate bolts and slide your cam out providing you removed the lifters first.
 
M

mike93lx

Member
May 22, 2003
391
0
16
Hudson, MA
Nov 15, 2007
#3
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #3
i pulled a cam without removing the dampener. been a while since I did it, but it didn't require any special tools
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Nov 15, 2007
#4
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #4
I cannot see how you can pull the cam without removing the harmonic balancer (dampner).

If you have a 5spd, put the car in 5th gear and pull the e-brake. Get a break-over bar and start cranking on it counterclockwise. If an AOD, put it in park/e-brake and see if that works.
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Nov 15, 2007
#5
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #5
5spd GT said:
I cannot see how you can pull the cam without removing the harmonic balancer (dampner).

If you have a 5spd, put the car in 5th gear and pull the e-brake. Get a break-over bar and start cranking on it counterclockwise. If an AOD, put it in park/e-brake and see if that works.
Click to expand...

He'd have to re-install the motor for that method to work. As stated, his motor's already pulled out and on a stand.

Only way I can see a cam being pulled without pulling the balancer is if you removed the oil pan, unbolted the timing cover, and then somehow rotated the cover around on the crank ... but even then, I don't see it happening. And even if you could ... God, WHY go through that much of a hassle to avoid spending a few minutes to pull the balancer? I mean, the balancer isn't THAT hard to remove - one big bolt in the center, thread in two bolts for the puller tool, and start crankin' on the center shaft/bolt it until it falls off.
 

jake2582

New Member
Jan 8, 2007
107
0
0
tallapoosa
Nov 15, 2007
#6
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #6
mike93lx said:
i pulled a cam without removing the dampener. been a while since I did it, but it didn't require any special tools
Click to expand...

not out of a SBF! not without breaking anything I CALL FUQING BS!:Zip2:
yeah maybe ya removed it outa the box!
i can remove it too just have to bust the timing cover.
i removed a crankshaft withing taking any rod bolts off too!
CUT EM ALL WITH A TORCH LOL
 

ShortThrow50

Member
Oct 22, 2006
923
2
16
Pa
Nov 15, 2007
#7
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #7
russ1979 said:
the eng. is out of the car and on a stand. the water pump and just about everything
is off. i've takin off all the timing cover blots. but it seems like it's still being held on
by the crank pulley (the only pulley left) and dampener. every time i i try to take the bolts off it just spins the crank.
--do i need a specal tool or are there any tricks i can use?
any help would be great
Click to expand...

hey bro, you need to at least buy a tech manual before you go ANY further. Im not tryin to be a smart ass but there is much for you to learn yet after asking this question. Again, Im not tryin to be a joker but this is one of the easiest parts to engine building. I learned a lot reading through the chiltons. Reason I say this is because your gonna have a million step by step questions
 

russ1979

Member
Oct 6, 2006
152
0
16
albuquerque, new mexico
Nov 15, 2007
#8
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #8
i used a large socket, a cheater bar and all my body weight to get the big bolt off.
i then rented the puller from autozone it' took me a little time to figure it out
(the autozone kid had no idea how it worked) but i got it off
thanks guys
 

PUNISHER RACING

Active Member
Aug 27, 2007
1,124
0
36
FORD CITY, PA.
Nov 15, 2007
#9
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #9
No problem we all have to learn somehow its not rocket science its just nuts and bolts, trust me I do it for a livin'. Good Luck
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Nov 15, 2007
#10
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #10
Darkwriter77 said:
He'd have to re-install the motor for that method to work. As stated, his motor's already pulled out and on a stand.

Only way I can see a cam being pulled without pulling the balancer is if you removed the oil pan, unbolted the timing cover, and then somehow rotated the cover around on the crank ... but even then, I don't see it happening. And even if you could ... God, WHY go through that much of a hassle to avoid spending a few minutes to pull the balancer? I mean, the balancer isn't THAT hard to remove - one big bolt in the center, thread in two bolts for the puller tool, and start crankin' on the center shaft/bolt it until it falls off.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the correction because I skipped over that part. My mistake.

I cannot see the timing cover being rotated, for two reasons:

1) The left timing cover dowel pin.
2) The right timing cover dowel pin.

 

Roland69

Sergeant Tangnet
Sep 17, 2005
2,867
2
58
Port Elgin, Ontario
Nov 15, 2007
#11
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #11
Impact works wonders
 

russ1979

Member
Oct 6, 2006
152
0
16
albuquerque, new mexico
Nov 15, 2007
#12
  • Nov 15, 2007
  • #12
short: i don't plain on rebuilding the shortblock. i will prob just throw on a diff. set of
h/c/i and if i do rebuild the short block i'll have a shop do that.
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
18
108
Chicagoland
Nov 16, 2007
#13
  • Nov 16, 2007
  • #13
Pull the balancer. You can't remove the timing cover without it being off, and you should replace the timing chain while you're in there anyway. I'm sure there's gotta be an Autozone in, or near Albuquerque? They loan tools for free, you just need to leave a deposit, which is refunded in full when you return them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
1987 5.0 speed density Foxbody crank no start
  • Alan2204
  • May 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
164
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 30, 2026
Mcmahst
C
1997 3.8l v6 timing cover mismatch *eBay guaranteed fit* haha please HELP
  • chasondragons
  • Apr 3, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
89
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Apr 3, 2026
chasondragons
C
D
Paint removal on machined gasket surfaces.
  • Ddyer2868
  • Feb 16, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
207
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 23, 2026
ctandc
C
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
676
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
F
2004 Mustang GT – Fuel Pump Not Priming
  • Fayio
  • Apr 22, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
191
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Apr 27, 2026
n0v8or
N
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?