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Has anyone replaced the camshaft with the engine still in the jeep? This is on the M38a1.
I'm just trying to feel out my options if my fuel pump lobe is too far gone to operate the pump.

When I got home I reviewed the engine manual and it looks like it would be fairly straight forward. I'll have to remove the grill and radiator of course (luckily, I haven't even put my fenders on yet - because I'm still working the kinks out of the running part). I'll have to remove the distributor and oil pump, along with the side, valve and timing covers. I'll have to loosen the valve adjusters for all valves to allow for tappet play. The manual says to hold the tappets up with cloths pins clamped on them. I could measure the old camshaft and compare it to the new one (journal diameter) and the specs to see if it is standard or not. If all is well, I could put it back to gether in a short amount of time. The oil pump looks like it might be the roughest part to me - not a lot of clearance there.

Matt

When installing the new cam be sure NOT TO HAMMER the gear into position. Use the bolt to pull it down tight. Hammering will jar the welsh plug loose at the rear of the rear cam journal and the resultant oil leak will require engine removal to repair.

Unless you want to buy a new cam gear use the proper puller to remove it!

I would take Wes' advise. Dont think you can get away with a universal puller. It has to pulled from right behind the center edges of the gear. I made up my puller since I wasnt able to find anything else. I can get you a few pics if you'd like.
Brett

Crap! Do they rent those special pullers at the chain (Autozone) parts stores? I just looked at it in the manual - I thought it was just a standard 2 screw puller.

Matt

If you have too much trouble you can take the cam out without removing the timing gear. You will of course still have to remove it from the cam but if you are replacing everything than it doesn't matter. Get a thin wall socket, align the holes on the gear with the bolts and you can remove the bolts holding the camshaft in. I removed mine that way because the puller wasn't working then had the machine shop help get it off.

53a1 - I was laying in bed last night thinking (wondering) the same thing. The cam in my spare motor (on the floor in the shop)is good. I could just pull it, cam sprocket and all, and put it in the current motor. I'd have to check the mesh and play with the current crank sprocket though - or replace them as a pair. GOOD JOB - that was going to be my question for this morning - you beat me to it! Now, after I finish my coffee, I'll be off to the shop for a little Jeep fun! It's already 63 deg here, so it looks like a great day to be out there.

Matt

Yes you can replace them as a pair but I think the tappets wear to the cam so you need to get the tappets ground. Double check this with Wes or your machine shop.

Glad I could help out.

Good news! It looks like I might not have to replace the camshaft after all! My fuel pump seems to be pumping a healthy supply of fuel to the carb, Although I didn't test the outlet pressure, the engine runs a LOT smoother pulling fuel from my gas can on the cowl. I will be working on finishing up my fuel tank and line either Sunday or Monday, so I guess I will know then if she will pull from the tank or not.

Thanks for the info 53a1 - now I will know I I need to change the cam in the future.

Matt