V6 Discussion and questions about the base carbureted or MPFI V6's and the rare SFI Turbo V6.

That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-26-2018, 01:11 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
maroe624's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 734
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Ramjet 350
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Torsen
That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Was tearing into my 3.4 and noticed this play in the camshaft. I know some play is ok but seems like a lot. Is it fixable? Nvm the clicking noise it's just the slacking timing chain. Seems like it moves in and out everytime the chain slaps.


Last edited by maroe624; 08-26-2018 at 01:27 AM.
Old 08-26-2018, 08:57 AM
  #2  
Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
Six_Shooter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,356
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Car: 1973 Datsun 240Z/ 1985 S-15 Jimmy
Engine: Turbo LX9/To be decided
Transmission: 5-speed/T-5
Axle/Gears: R200 3.90/7.5" 3.73
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Replace you're known loose timing chain and the end play will also be reduced.
Old 08-26-2018, 01:04 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
maroe624's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 734
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Ramjet 350
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Torsen
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

OK good to know..
Old 09-29-2018, 06:41 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
maroe624's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 734
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Ramjet 350
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Torsen
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

So I replaced my timing set and still have some camshaft play. Is it normal? It's less then before. I also removed the sensor above the camshaft. Could this cause the extra play? Should I put it back in or leave it out or plug it???
Old 09-29-2018, 07:39 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
drdave88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Waterford, MI
Posts: 2,470
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 1998 Camaro Z28
Engine: 6.0L
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Put it back in or you're going to have oil everywhere.
Old 09-29-2018, 07:42 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
NoEmissions84TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Meriden, CT 06450
Posts: 4,035
Received 517 Likes on 431 Posts
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

From looking at your lifters, you have a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft.
So there should NOT be a camshaft retainer plate behind your new timing set.
A roller camshaft would use the retainer plate.
The endplay you refer to is therefore normal. If it really bothers you, you could install a cam button
that limits the back-and-forth movement against the timing cover.
But it is not necessary since flat tappet camshaft lobes are ground with a taper that forces the camshaft
rearward in the block under normal operation.
Roller camshafts do not have that taper to the lobes and that is why they need the retainer plate.
Old 09-29-2018, 08:14 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
maroe624's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 734
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Ramjet 350
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Torsen
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Originally Posted by NoEmissions84TA
From looking at your lifters, you have a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft.
So there should NOT be a camshaft retainer plate behind your new timing set.
A roller camshaft would use the retainer plate.
The endplay you refer to is therefore normal. If it really bothers you, you could install a cam button
that limits the back-and-forth movement against the timing cover.
But it is not necessary since flat tappet camshaft lobes are ground with a taper that forces the camshaft
rearward in the block under normal operation.
Roller camshafts do not have that taper to the lobes and that is why they need the retainer plate.
Ok good to know thanks for the info.
Old 09-29-2018, 08:14 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
maroe624's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 734
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Ramjet 350
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Torsen
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Originally Posted by drdave88
Put it back in or you're going to have oil everywhere.
Ok will do.
Old 09-29-2018, 08:25 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
maroe624's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 734
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Ramjet 350
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Torsen
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

The timing mark on the cam seems to point at 12 o clock and the crank at 12 o clock instead of 12 on the crank and 6 on the cam like the 3.1. Is this correct ??
Old 09-29-2018, 09:10 PM
  #10  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
NoEmissions84TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Meriden, CT 06450
Posts: 4,035
Received 517 Likes on 431 Posts
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Rotate the crank 1 turn and the dots will be pointing at each other.

Last edited by NoEmissions84TA; 09-29-2018 at 09:17 PM.
Old 09-29-2018, 09:35 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
maroe624's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 734
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Ramjet 350
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Torsen
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Originally Posted by NoEmissions84TA
Rotate the crank 1 turn and the dots will be pointing at each other.
When I tore down the motor all stock the crank gear dot was at 12 and the cam at 12 also when I aligned the timing marks. So I'm wondering if this is how it goes stock. I don't wanna set it up wrong. On the 3.1 it's, crank and 12 and cam at 6 facing each other. Will the cam still be in the same position if I turn it to 6 position?
Old 09-29-2018, 10:28 PM
  #12  
Moderator

iTrader: (2)
 
Six_Shooter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,356
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Car: 1973 Datsun 240Z/ 1985 S-15 Jimmy
Engine: Turbo LX9/To be decided
Transmission: 5-speed/T-5
Axle/Gears: R200 3.90/7.5" 3.73
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Dots at 12 and 12 or 12 and 6 will be the same thing.

Choose which ever way works easiest, and use it.

Personally I use 12 and 6, because they will be closest to each other. Rotating the crank one full rotation will cause the cam to rotate exactly 1 half turn, turning the crank one full turn again will bring the cam back to it's original position.

IIRC 12 and 6 on the 60 degree V6 will have cylinder #4 at TDC compression stroke.
Old 09-30-2018, 07:25 PM
  #13  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
NoEmissions84TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Meriden, CT 06450
Posts: 4,035
Received 517 Likes on 431 Posts
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.

Stop thinking about this and rotate the crank already. See what happens for yourself. You will have an "A-HA" moment.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
maroe624
Tech / General Engine
8
09-30-2018 07:04 AM



Quick Reply: That's not right is it? Camshaft play.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:39 PM.