Camshaft Assembly Removal

Tools

• 8 mm Allen head socket or 8 mm hex key
• 6 mm Allen head socket and 6" extension, or long 6 mm Allen head socket (preferred)
• 10 mm socket and ratchet
• Flat-tip screwdriver
• Flywheel lock 9206 (optional)
• 27 mm thin-head open-end wrench (eccentric roller tensioner cars only)
• 19 mm socket (eccentric roller tensioner cars only)
• 12 mm socket (spring tensioner cars only)
• Pry bar or balance shaft pin spanner (spring tensioner cars only)

Note: If you have the original car tool kit, it includes a long Allen head tool with a rubber socket for holding the bolt — useful for this procedure. If using a 6 mm socket and extension, tape the socket to the extension to prevent it from falling into the cam housing.

Other Procedures Needed

• FUEL-02: Fuel Injector and Fuel Rail Removal and Installation
• IGN-01: Distributor Cap and Rotor Replacement
• ENG-13: Locating and Setting Engine to Top Dead Center (TDC), Cylinder 1

Procedure

1. Disconnect the battery negative lead.
2. Using ENG-13, set the engine to top dead center (TDC) for cylinder number 1.
3. Using FUEL-02, remove the fuel rail and injectors.
4. Using IGN-01, remove the distributor cap and rotor.
5. If equipped, disconnect the cruise control cable from the cruise control servo and move it out of the way.
6. Remove the front timing/balance shaft belt covers (M6 bolts) using a 10 mm socket and ratchet.
7. Remove the front distributor housing cover (3 M6 bolts) using a 10 mm socket and ratchet.
8. On cars equipped with spring tensioners (1987 and later), perform the following: a. The front plate of the spring tensioner resembles a triangle. Loosen, but do not remove, the locknut and bolt on the side of the triangle near the tensioning spring. b. Release the tension on the belt by pushing down on the tensioner lever arm using a pry bar, or preferably the factory balance shaft sprocket pin spanner. With the spring compressed, tighten the locking bolt and nut to hold the tensioner in the released position.
9. On cars not equipped with spring tensioners (pre-1987), perform the following: a. Loosen the camshaft tensioning roller locknut and turn the camshaft tensioning roller nut clockwise to release tension on the timing belt.
10. After tension is released from the camshaft belt, slide the belt off the camshaft sprocket. The cam belt does not need to be fully removed unless additional work requires it.
11. Remove the two M6 bolts (10 mm hex head) that attach the rear timing cover to the rear distributor housing.
12. If equipped, disconnect the sensor plug retaining strap on the engine lifting bracket at the back of the cam housing (M6 bolt, 10 mm wrench).
13. Using an 8 mm hex key or Allen head socket, remove the plugs from the top of the cam housing.
14. Using a 6 mm Allen head socket and extension (or long 6 mm Allen head socket), remove the 15 cam housing retaining bolts (M8).

Note: Two of the cam housing bolts also act as bracket bolts for the hard pipe section of the heater core return line. If only the cam housing is being removed, the return line may remain connected and be moved out of the way. If the head is also to be removed, the return line should be removed as part of the head removal procedure.

15. Remove the cam housing by lifting it upward slightly and tilting it toward the right side of the car. This tilting motion helps retain the lifters in their respective openings in the bottom of the housing. If the old lifters must be removed, store them in a manner that allows correct orientation during reinstallation.