I've got a B16A that is missing just this cam cap:



I presume that it was removed because someone wanted the cam seal, but I don't know for sure.

My question is: Can ANY cam cap from a B16/GSR/Type R be put in its place? I have a reputable shop in my area saying that ANY cap should work and they have had ZERO issues doing it. He says that if it is the end caps then any matching cap from a B16/GSR/Type R will work fine, just not the center ones.

Is there any truth to this?
I'm rather skeptical and would rather spend the time to plastigauge a bunch of different caps until I find the one that fits the best, unless it really doesn't matter. Everywhere I look online along with everything that I know says that you have to line hone the journals if you are going to swap the cap(s), but I don't know about just one cap or the exact tolerances they are allowed to run at.

HELP!
- Frizzy

 

A journal is a journal - every one is is just as important as the other. If it wasn't then there wouldn't be one there to begin with. Those are perhaps the most important ones to allow float due to the fact that the retaining ring is located on that end. That shop is full of ****. Plastigauge different caps until it is right or pony up for a hone job.

A fool can be lucky dozens of times, it only takes one time to end his mockery.

 

^Yep.

You can use another cap from another head, but you MUST check that it fits right.

 

Any idea what it should plastigauge out to? Or should I just compare it with the other three end caps?

Also, should I take the cam completely out? As in check the cap fitment without the cam and then put it all together with the plastigauge? Or just throw that bish on there with the plasti and see what happens? I don't want to do more work than what is necessary since I'm going to be checking a lot of caps.

 

Anyone!?

 

register at hondahookup forum and go to their download section then download a service manual for the engine/car that you need

service manual has all the clearances that you should have. normal and max clearance.


because timing belt pulls the camshafts down on one side
the cam journal closest to the cam gears will show wear on the bottom half of the journal
the one closes to distributor and cam seal will wear out on the top half of the journal (or the cam cap itself)
middle cam cap wear is equal obviously with the pressure from rocker arms of course.


so when you do plastigauge you should loosen up the timing belt and rotate until the exhaust cam is not being pushed up by rocker arm.

so check service manual and have a shop measure the innards of the cam journal to make sure its round all around lol