Front Cam Chain Guide Height

[woodcreekpete]

Does this look like the right height for the guide to be sticking up past the surface. It's about 3.5mm proud. Had everything back together but this is making me nervous. It looks like it would create a load on the cover and lead to leakage. Resisting the urge to adjust the height with the ball peen for the moment.
Pete

[fj1289]

Pete - that is not good to go.  I have had this problem in the past, but don't remember the trick to it.  Give me a few minutes to go to the garage and see if I can come up with the answer again. 

[fj1289]

If I remember correctly - the trick is you have to raise up the head a little, drop the top of the guide into place in the head, then guide the bottom of the guide into place into the lower crankcase as you lower the head the last little bit.  



Now, I could be totally out to lunch on that, but that is how I think I remember doing it.  

I think there is something about the angle or something that interferes with putting the guide in after the head is seated. 

[fj1289]

Crap!   Took too long to mock up some parts and can't modify the above post now

IGNORE WHAT I SAID ABOVE!  I was out to lunch on having to raise the head a little, etc

The guide should slip right in.   It might be slightly proud of the valve cover sealing surface, but only by a mm or so.  The "cross pin" should definitely be seated in the cavity in the head. 

I'd suggest to make sure the slack is out of the cam gain to make sure that is not getting in the way.   Otherwise use a good light and see if anything else is in the way.   

[fj1289]

A couple pics

Slightly proud - this is with no base or head gaskets, and the head has been milked a pretty good amount. 



Light witness marks on the valve cover - but no leakage issues

[woodcreekpete]

Thanks for the input. I figured it should slide right in. Now that the cams are out, maybe rotating the crank a little will free up a bit of space and it'll slide home. Back at it in the morning.

[woodcreekpete]

Well, when all else fails, bend it. Put a small bit more curve in it. Seems to have worked, sits in there properly at both ends.