new_climber

doing a head gasket..my cam is out...can I install the head without the cam being installed??

My thought was to put the crank #1 TDC and then when I put the cam in set it in and tighten the rockers with it sitting at #1 TDC??

Will this work??

goldhatchi

you have to torque the head down befor you button the cam in,theres a few head bolts that you can not get to with the cam in the way.and for the cam at tdc issue , dont quote me on this but i dont think it matters ,adjusting the timing will take care of it.
next time include your engine type,and maybe some more details .

digitally_remastered

a sohc you can do it with no problems. no head bolts are blocked by the cam. on a dohc, like you stated, need the cams removed.

as for cams on a tdc. that is a true statement. it DOES matter. sometimes it can be a pain but its not hard at all. just think if you had you cam in at tdc on cylinder 3 and your crank at tdc on cylinder 1..... can you say valve catastrophe?

gibsanez

I just use a screw driver through the spark plug hole and then use the timing marks on the cam gears.

DTA-Zombie

yeah you can put the head on without the cam installed....I would retime it after you put the cam in and button everything up though...