need help installing my camshaft

[Money_Green]

i am rebuilding my head, and currently am trying to get my camshaft to go back in. it is most of the way, but i cannot seem to compress the valves enough to get everything to slide the rest of the way in...

what tools should i be using for this?

any advice?

Thanks

-Max

[Guest Anonymous]

The BMW M10 cyl head was designed to have its cam shaft installed prior to rocker arm and shaft instalation. This is as the rocker arms and shafts are not reuseable. There is a BMW made tool, replicas are out there for compressing the rockers and valves to allow cam shaft instal. I THINK 2002haus sells the tool.

Sam

LaValle's Import Restorations

[Money_Green]

i have a 2002 engine, not an M10... unless they are the same, and i didn't know it.

this engine was recently rebuilt, but the person who did it forgot to install several gaskets and it overheated the first time i turned it on... blowing the head gasket and piston seals.

rather than return the engine to the person who built it, i am rebuilding the head myself... supposedly an easy task.

they haines book said to install the rocker shafts first, and it suggested making a forked tool to roll the rockers and compress the valves... i made this tool, but the edges round before i can get enough compression.

i know there is a special bmw tool to perform this task, but i need to have the car running ASAP, and can't wait to get it.

-Max

[Guest Anonymous]

http://2002haus.com/Specialtools.htm

Always top notch from 2002haus. This is the tool to have. I have one I made myself years ago and while not as pretty it does work. Rob T probably has them in stock and can send to you ASAP.

[Money_Green]

unfortunately, that is not something i can afford right now, what with buying an engine and having to re-buy all the gaskets for the head...

is it possible to install the cam before the rocker assembly on a 2002? would that make it work?

should i just bring the head to a shop and pay them to install the cam and rockers? i would prefer to do it myself, but...

-Max

[visionaut]

Agree - camshaft installation is recommended to be prior to valvetrain installation. (Though there are tools/methods to support trying to do it with valvetrain in place.) Also agree with idea to replace rocker shafts when rebuilding as they typically wear, though I see no problems with retaining & reusing rocker arms provided they're inspected and show no wear...

[TobyB]

then try the 'cam first' method-

leave the wire locks off the rocker shaft, and you can slide the rockers around to get the lobes to miss the rockers and vice- versa. It's fussy, and you need to be patient and not force anything, but it can be done.

Be really careful not to gouge the cam bearings in the head.

I made a set of tools to do the 'cam last' method- but it only works with close- to- stock componentry. Larger cams can cause problems, as can oversize eccentrics.

If you leave the eccentrics out, you can do it for most crazy stuff, as long as the springs don't coil- bind too early.

yee hah.

t

[merlin]

max the M10 is the engine code for the engine in your car.

[winstontj]

Just take it back apart. I'm pretty sure you can re-use all of the fasteners in the head. Unbolt the rocker shafts, take them out, slide in the cam and *whalla* you're golden.

***OR*** do you have any friends who have ever done any motor work? The BMW M10 motor (2002 engine) is a very simple straight forward motor. Perhaps you have resources available to you that you have not explored yet??? Just a thought....

Hope you get it running soon...