2.2L N/A '84 camshaft lubrication

[Moon]

5203655 casting number ('81-'82) head had a valve job by a successful machinist in the area; he also did a short block re-build on the bottom of the motor. I installed the block and head (new mopar performance gasket and mopar 11mm headbolts---block was re-tapped for 11mm); and torqued successfully using factory procedure---45-65-65-1/2 turn

all this was last summer to fall; had to stop to winterize house and grounds and started in again Dec 20th in an unheated garage; promptly pulled my right hamstring; you don't want to experience this, believe me. I am 60 years old; it laid me up all winter.

so now the question; the camshaft is staring me in the face and I wonder if the machinist put pre-lube on the bearings. It was the first time I worked with him and they made a mistake or two like not lining up the new oil pump and distributor shaft gear so that I had to fudge around with the timing mark on the intermediate shaft rather than force him to unseal the oil pan etc.

Would I be causing myself more trouble than it is worth to pull the bearing caps on the two end lobes and check to see if there is any lube in the bearing surface? The Autozone help diagram shows to remove the cap bolts in this order (front-back 1,2 on the cam gear end and back-front 3,4 on the back end). I realize that I will be disturbing the seals that I installed. I have turned the crank bolt around about 16 times whilst setting up the timing. I am a rank amatuer hobbyist.

[Moon]

Quote:

...and torqued successfully using factory procedure---45-65-65-1/2 turn

make that 1/4 turn. got a click with the torque wrench set at 90 foot/pounds somewhere between 1/8 and 1/4 turn on each bolt in proper succession.

[puppet]

Wouldn't hurt to check it Moon. Just make sure you use an anaerobic sealer on the two end caps where they meet the cap base.

[Moon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by puppet Wouldn't hurt to check it Moon. Just make sure you use an anaerobic sealer on the two end caps where they meet the cap base.

gracias; my thinking exactly. I need to learn to trust my instincts. thanks for the reminder about the anaerobic sealer.

[Moon]

Quote:

Would I be causing myself more trouble than it is worth to pull the bearing caps on the two end lobes and check to see if there is any lube in the bearing surface? The Autozone help diagram shows to remove the cap bolts in this order (front-back 1,2 on the cam gear end and back-front 3,4 on the back end). I realize that I will be disturbing the seals that I installed.

On further review, I checked the help diagram again and---lo and behold---installation torque sequence is the REVERSE of removal sequence and this means that I can just pull the center (#3) cap and inspect for journal pre-lubricant). This will not disturb the seals and if it is dry in there, I will call the machinist and give him a chance to respond as to why or as to his experience with pre-lubing these cams. And I can just bite the bullet and remove the cam and do it right myself.

The point is that the front and rear cap bolts of #3 are the last to come of when removing since one starts from the ends of the camshaft (sprocket and then the back) and works in to the center cap. This ought to put this thread to rest. Call it kindergarten camshafts. :)