fitting cam, im strugling:(

[mk1joe]

Hi,
Took my head apart a little while ago to clean it, i seem to remember the cam came out really easy like it should, but now it doesnt want to go back in! is there something im missing? it goes in most of the way, its just at the very end the bearing bits dont want to go in where they sit (if that makes sense?)

ive checked for damage or anything that would be stopping it but i cant see anything obvious, and i dont want to force it. so do you have any advice? is this common? and what actually holds the cam in place when the engine is running?

Thanks!
Joe:)

[mike harris]

The cam runs on a film of oil, what you need to do is do up each cam cam a tiny bit at a time, and work your way along. Don't do any one to much as I have known them to snap.

[mk1joe]

This is the cam shaft in the head on my 1.6 8v. There ment to slide in arent they?.

[mk1joe]

I am right in saying that the cam should slide right in arent I? I shouldnt have to force it in, it should go in and rotate nice right?

I did this ages ago with my 1 litre, but I cant remember if I had any problems with it.

[ScottieJ]

Have you removed the fuel pump? if so did you take the small push rod out? if not perhaps the push rod has fallen through into where the cam would sit/dizzy housing?

[mk1joe]

I did think that, but I had a look and I took that rod out ages ago when I took the head apart.

Its really strange as I cant feel any scuffs or damage to the surface which would stop it going in.

[ScottieJ]

dizzy removed?

[mk1joe]

Yep. you have to slide it in from the back anyway dont you.

[kiwizook]

I would say lube it up, and VERY carefully slowly tap it in with a rubber mallet, if it's only the last bearing surface

[mk1joe]

Thats a good idea mate, thats what I might have to doo. I just wondered if this was a common problem really. A guy in work sugested putting the cam in the freezer, I might do that aswell.

And what does actually keep the cam in? Is there something in the distributor housing?