Contents: Single camshaft engines ⬇ Twin Cam Engines ⬇
Single camshaft engines
Removal
The camshaft can be removed without removing the casing only if you have a special tool (Vauxhall/Opel N 603850 or equivalent), allowing you to press the valve lifters.
If there is no such tool, the casing is also removed. Since this removes the cylinder head bolts, we recommend installing a new gasket on it. If the gasket is not new and breaks during installation, the cylinder head will have to be removed again to install a new gasket, and another set of bolts will be required.
The removal and installation of the cover is discussed in the next section along with the cylinder head. It is recommended that the head be secured to the cylinder block with four bolts and gaskets to reduce the possibility of damaging the seal between the head and the cylinder block.
After removing the camshaft, perform the following operations.
On carbureted engines, remove the fuel pump (chapter 4).
Remove the ignition distributor or ignition coil.
On 1.6L engines with multi-point fuel injection, remove the three bolts and ignition coil panel.
On 1.8L and 2.0L engines, remove the rear camshaft oil seal.
At the tail end of the camshaft, use a socket wrench to loosen the two bolts on the support plate (it is shown in the picture), then remove it, marking the position.
Remove the camshaft carefully to avoid damaging the journals.
Examination
After removing the camshaft, inspect the bearings for signs of wear or chipping. Check that the oil feed holes in the camshaft housing are not clogged.
There should be no scratches or burrs on the journal and cam surfaces. If there are any, replace the camshaft (after replacing it, the rocker arms should also be replaced).
Check the shaft support plate and replace it if necessary.
Installation
It is highly recommended to replace the front camshaft oil seal if it is removed. Pry the seal with a screwdriver and remove it, gently tap it, put on a new one so that it lies flush with the surface.
Begin installation by liberally greasing the bearings as well as the seal lips.
Carefully insert the camshaft into the housing from the distributor/ignition coil side, being careful not to damage the bearings.
Install the support plate and tighten the mounting bolts. Check the camshaft offset along the axis with a feeler gauge. If it exceeds the permissible limit, replace the support plate.
On 1.8L and 2.0L engines, install a new rear camshaft seal flush with the housing.
On 1.6L engines with multi-point fuel injection, check the condition of the seals at the rear of the mounting panel and replace if necessary.
Install the ignition distributor or ignition coil if required (chapter 5).
On carburetor engines, install a fuel pump.
Where required, remove the cylinder head bolts and gaskets.
Install the camshaft housing.
If a new camshaft is installed, the following running-in schedule must be followed immediately after starting the engine:
- a) for 1 min at 2000 rpm;
- b) for 1 min at 1500 rpm;
- c) for 1 min at 3000 rpm;
- d) for 1 min at 2000 rpm.
Change your engine oil (there is no need to change the filter if the time has not come), approximately 1000 km after installing a new shaft.
Twin Cam Engines
Removal
Remove the camshaft sprocket.
If it is necessary to remove the exhaust camshaft, remove the ignition distributor.
Check the markings on the camshaft bearing caps, and if there are none, make marks on the caps and on the top surface of the cylinder head. Before removing the bearing caps, note their location, they must then be installed exactly in place.
Before removing the camshaft, check its axial offset. If it exceeds the permissible value, the camshaft must be replaced.
Loosen the bearing cap nuts in half-turn increments.
Remove the bearing cap nuts with washers and the caps themselves, then carefully remove the shaft.
Examination
After removing the camshaft, check the bearing surfaces for wear or chipping. If any, the cylinder head and bearing caps must be replaced as a set, since only the bearings cannot be replaced.
The camshaft should not have any scratches or burrs on the journal or cam surfaces. If any, replace the camshaft.
We strongly recommend replacing the front camshaft oil seal.
Installation
Begin installation by liberally lubricating the cam contact surfaces with molybdenum disulfide paste.
Lubricate the mating surfaces of the bearing cap, which contains the seal, and, if it is an exhaust camshaft, the bearing cap at the distributor drive with a suitable sealant (Vauxhall/Opel N 15 04 201 or equivalent).
Lubricate the bearing and camshaft lobes with oil, then install the camshaft in place so that the sprocket pin is at the highest point.
Install the bearing caps in the location marked before removal.
Install the bearing cap washers and nuts and tighten the nuts gradually in half-turn increments to the specified torque. Remember that when installing the exhaust camshaft, the two smaller nuts at the rear bearing cap should be tightened after all the main nuts have been tightened. Also, the two smaller nuts should be tightened with a torque wrench with a lower setting value than the main nuts.
Lightly coat the lips of the new front oil seal with grease and install it in place.
Install the ignition distributor (chapter 5).
Install the camshaft sprocket.
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