Is this normal?

 

I noticed also that after changing the RH camshaft o-ring the cap doesnt really sit as flush as it used to (torqued down to 12 lb-ft per the manual spec).. when i take the o-ring off and let the cap sit completely flush, the amount of travel is less but there's still a little of front back play

 

I'm a little concerned about that.

There should be no play on that cap. You also need to use RTV. I prefer the high temp black stuff

no the camshaft itself is where the play is, not the cap.

You have all the caps tight correct and the cam seal out and the cam shaft moves a little? I could see it have a little play as the lifters are being pushed down. It should not wobble.

The cap works as a thrust bearing for the camshaft. It has a wear limit. I don't really know how normal it is for them to wear out.

no the cam seal is in.

 

is the cap the only thing that controls the play in the cam?

 

the amount of travel is a bit alarming, maybe as much as .200"

Oh, think i found it in the FSM.

 

 

I've never read of anybody having a problem with this before...

Well i took a cap off of my 96 Legacy which doesn't have the same issue. The problem is still there. After double checking the cap and making sure it was torqued to spec, looks more like i'm getting about .8mm of play, still well outside of the maximum allowance.

 

What can cause this assuming the cap is OK?

 

I haven't seen it, so i don't know what holds the cam in place. The cap obviously prevents it from moving back, but what prevents it from moving forward? Is it just a larger diameter lip on the journal that is stopped by the head from moving forward?

I don't know what your you're working on but I have a set of DOHC heads already torn apart. IIR a pair of 97's. Idler failure, I already sold the short block. Some bent valves. I had to steal some cam cap bolts for another job (they had been rounded by someone prior probably adjusting the shims for the valves). But I've got the cams, caps, etc.

 

FWIW I've never seen your issue before either.

 

I did drop Delta Cam a PM a while ago to see if they were still interested in cams, heads, etc. I have about a dozen parts engines around here 2.2 and 2.5's and haven't heard back. I don't really know what they are worth. The 97 had 111k on it. The TB melting onto the idler for the tensioner was really something. Dealer had done TB at 100k and didn't do the idlers(according to the PO never recommended idlers) and at 111k it had a meltdown.

Edited May 18, 200916 yr by davebugs
long block to short block

Working on a EJ22

 

I have no idea how much that would be worth either, but can the cams come out without pulling the head? I'll consider pulling them out if i don't have to pull the RH head

The cams are removed without pulling the head.

I have EJ22 parts engines as well but someone closer to you has to have the parts when you figure out what you need.

do you think it'll be okay to keep driving like this for awhile?

 

If the cap isn't worn, i don't know what else would allow it to have longitudinal play...