[FAQ] D-Series Camshaft and Valve Spring Install Write-Up (Lots of pics)

[RyanEJ8]

Camshaft/Valve Spring Install Write-Up This is a technical write up to inform you of how a camshaft and valve spring install is done with the cylinder head on the car. The install was done on a SOHC VTEC D16Y8 head. For the most part, this can be helpful with all Hondas, but of course there are differences between a VTEC and a non-VTEC head, and a SOHC or DOHC head. With that said, if you have anything other than a D16Y8 head I would recommend consulting another manual for at least the torque specs. PARTS AND TOOLS: The parts used in this install are the ZEX #105300 camshaft and ZEX #912-16 valve springs. The specs on them are as follows: ZEX D16Y8 #105300 Camshaft VTEC Intake/Exhaust Advertised Duration 260/268 Duration @ .050 220/216 Max Valve Lift .455/.430 Centerline 107/111 Lash .007/.009 ZEX D16Z6/D16Y8 #912-16 Valve Springs .896" Outside Diameter .600" Inside Diameter Installed 50 lbs @ 1.950", Open 170 lbs @ 1.050" Spring Rate 240 lbs/in Coil Bind Height 1.360" Single Spring coil for both intake and exhaust Here is a comparison of the stock spring next to the ZEX spring. You will need a valve spring compressor to perform this job. I used a Sears Craftsman overhead valve spring compressor. A few modifications needed to be made to the valve spring compressor in order for it to be used with the 4 valve per cylinder Honda head. (Don't make fun of my excellent MS Paint skillz. ) You will also need a compressed air source and an adapter for the spark plug tube. Many cylinder compression gauges utilize a screw-in fitting that may work with your air hose quick-disconnect fitting. I removed the one-way valve from my Actron compression tester and used it. These are the other tools you'll need. 1.) Metric socket set 2.) Ratchet and extensions 3.) Timing light 4.) Torque wrench 5.) Feeler gauge 6.) Flathead screw driver 7.) Break-in lube (generally supplied by camshaft manufacturer) INSTALLATION: 1.) Remove the valve cover. 2.) Set the engine at TDC for cylinder #1 and remove the cam gear. 3.) Remove the spark plug wires. Then unplug the distributor and remove the 3 bolts holding it to the head. 4.) Loosen the rocker arm assembly bolts a 1/4 turn each in the correct order until the spring pressure is relieved, but do not completely remove the bolts from the rocker arm assembly or it will start to fall apart on you. 5.) Lift the rocker arm assembly from the head. 6.) Lift out the stock camshaft. It's going to drip oil everywhere, so you might want to have a couple shop towels ready. 7.) At this point you'll want to take a look at the contact faces and adjuster tips of the rocker arms and make sure there is no excessive wear. Then take a look at the camshaft bearing surfaces on both the head and the rocker arms. Make sure there are no deep scratches or wear. 8.) Remove the spark plug in the cylinder you are about to install valve springs on, then thread the adapter into the spark plug hole and connect an air hose from a compressed air source. 9.) The valves should be held in place by the air pressure now. Stuff bits of paper towel in all your oiling holes and anywhere the keepers could fall into. Make sure it's a big enough wad where it won't soak up too much oil and fall into your engine. 10.) Use the valve spring compressor to compress the spring and remove the keepers with a magnetic screwdriver. I had a better picture of this, but don't know what the hell happened to it. 11.) Lift the valve spring and retainer from the head with the spring compressor. 12.) Compress the new valve spring with retainer using the spring compressor. (The retainer is not pictured here, I was only testing the spring compressor fitment at the time the picture was taken.) 13.) Place the end of the spring with the most closely wound coils towards the cylinder head and carefully place the keepers in between the valve stem and spring retainer. 14.) Relieve the pressure from the valve spring compressor and make sure the keepers are seated properly. 15.) Repeat steps 10-14 for the rest of the valve springs in the cylinder you are working on, then repeat the process for the other 3 cylinders. Here are the ZEX valve springs installed. 16.) Clean the camshaft, the bearing surfaces in the head and the rocker arms. Remove any dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth. 17.) Lubricate the camshaft bearing surfaces in the head and rocker arms and the lobes on the camshaft thoroughly with the provided assembly lubricant. Install the new camshaft seal with the open side facing in. Now carefully lower the camshaft into the head. Put a drop of camshaft assembly lubricant on the bearing surfaces here, make sure your fingers are clean, and rub it in some. Make sure the camshaft is thoroughly lubed and set it in just like this. 18.) Apply sealant to the cylinder head contact surfaces next to bearings 1 and 5 and install the rocker arm assembly. Make sure everything lines up properly. 19.) Hand tighten the rocker arm assembly bolts a little at a time, in the proper sequence. Then torque them to Honda's torque specifications in two or three steps, in the proper sequence. D16Y8 Rocker Arm Assembly Torque Sequence and Specifications 19.) Place the cam gear and keyway on the end of the camshaft and torque it down. Make sure the cam gear is lined up at TDC with a straight edge. You will also want to check to make sure the bottom end is still lined up TDC as the air pressure may have moved it some. Now slip the timing belt back on and make sure it is tensioned properly. 20.) Put a new seal on the distributor and reinstall it. Make sure you have not turned it around 180 degrees. 21.) Now adjust the valve clearance to specifications. 21.) Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise by hand for two complete revolutions. Recheck the alignment marks on the cam gear and crankshaft. The timing marks should still be aligned. If they're not, remove the timing belt and set all the timing marks again. 22.) Torque the valve cover down and make sure all hoses, grounds, covers, and spark plugs/wires are installed at this point and you're ready to start her up! Have the timing light handy and be ready to set your timing when the engine reaches operating temperature. I will probably be editing this some over the next few days as I might find something I want to add or change, so please give any comments or suggestions. Modified by RyanCivic2000 at 11:13 PM 5/14/2004

This ad is not displayed to registered or logged-in members. Register your free account today and become a member on Honda-Tech!

[Buktheng]

Nice job on the write up!

[JCracer723]

dopeness

[Built to Spill]

I have the same zex cam w/ crower valve springs and retainers....i love it, but The only problem i had was that with mild tuning, i couldnt make power past 7k with my setup. I believe the problem is with the cam...alot of other people have had problems with the cam not making any power after redline also.

But great write-up

[gitwidit]

Nice job Ryan
Very informative and good pics.

[ELSpool]

Sweet job Ryan!

[BauleyCivic]

Great information here

[thenick]

we should colaborate all the sohc faq's into one massive SOHC upgrade thread....good job man

[Krayzielix]

[civicminded92]

Thanks for sharing

Good job!!

[AlphaQup]

Good sh*t!! I'll be doing this soon. How much does the cam and springs run? Also how noticable are the hp gains?

Excellent Write-up

[drewbie]

awesome i needed this.


how much did the valve springs run?

[kadburry]

good write up

[A D NOH]

great write up!!!!


Any dyno tuning in the future?

[Turbogixxer]

great write up ryan

[Nsane1]

Originally Posted by AlphaQup

Also how noticable are the hp gains?

Excellent Write-up

[743power]

cool, I have heard from a couple of reliable sources that the OEM z6 springs are plenty capable for hi lift/rpm, and they also have a pretty high coil bind # from what I have seen. I need to replace the springs on a z6 head I have because they have some rust on them.

How much did the zex springs cost?

Thanks for the writeup, lets keep this kinda stuff alive in this forum.

[Street Ghost]

Good write-up.

[Caveman74]

Swell write up, Very informative

[EKsite]

Great write up!

[blackeg]

Originally Posted by ixiblindixi

we should colaborate all the sohc faq's into one massive SOHC upgrade thread....good job man

im down for that
when i was doing valvetrain shizzy, i had the same problem about the spring compressor- it was too fat and kept popping out of the spring.
did you re-adjust your valve lash too after this??
top notch write up man

[RyanEJ8]

Thanks for all the compliments guys.

Valve lash adjustment is step 21 of my write-up.

I got the ZEX cam for $255 and the valvesprings for $165.

[Eee Pee]

Good job Ryan.

Few for ya...

[Ricey McRicerton]

Incredible writeup. It's great to see threads like this.

[Tad]

good shit man