fasttech TOOLED UP CVH CAM SWAP

BEFORE
FOR CARS: ANY CVH-POWERED FORDS fasttech
STARTING…

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The first rule of working on cars
and using tools of any kind is don’t
ever skimp on decent protection.
Goggles, gloves, ear defenders,
masks and a set of overalls should
be in your garage. Use them.
When using power tools,
protective gear is essential
— grinders and welders can make
a real mess of your soft skin and
bone if you get it wrong.
Never work under a car
without supporting it using axle
stands first.
A car falling on you is not
something you’ll be laughing about
down the pub.
When cars catch fire, they
burn fast. If you haven’t got an
extinguisher, think seriously about
getting one.
If you’re not confident in your
own ability to complete a task
safely, don’t even start it. Leave it
to the experts.
The advice and guidelines given in the Fast
Ford tech section are given in good faith
and Fast Ford or Future Publishing can
take no responsibility for injuries sustained
while carrying out the described tasks and
procedures, or any consequences arising.

Our head’s obviously out of the car since Vulcan are modifying it A valve stem seal removal tool can also be used to pull out
for us. So first off, unbolt and remove the rocker gear. the hydraulic lifter. This should be drawn straight up and should
literally just pop straight out.

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ESSENTIALS

Words and photos: Jon Hill

WHAT
YOU’LL NEED!

CAM ON
COSTS
Vulcan Maxiflow 1A
Turbo Head £420 + VAT
Kent CVH34 cam kit £239 + VAT
Kent CA18
vernier pulley £69 + VAT
WHERE FROM? Move to the pulley end of the head and with the pulley removed, … lift out the cam thrust plate. Remove this and store it safely
WANT TO SWAP THE CAMSHAFT ON YOUR CVH MOTOR FOR Vulcan Engineering you should see two 8 mm bolt heads — unbolt these and… — you’ll need it later.
SOMETHING MORE FRUITY? HERE’S HOW TO DO IT 020 8579 3202
www.vulcanengines.com

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HOW LONG TO DO?
IT’S
no secret that a CVH But in our case, well, Neil’s That is if you fit the correct
usually wears its to be precise, we’ve just had a cam combination, which should Set yourself a good morning to
camshaft out between 40-60,000 gorgeous modified head done be a Kent CVH 34. So, that’s what do the job but don’t book
miles. And on top of that there’s that for us by engine masters, Vulcan we’re going to fit in Kent’s kit anything for the afternoon either
Engineering. This is one of their format. Using this method makes — other jobs will need doing,
annoying syndrome of blue smokey
like a new cambelt!
puffs from the exhaust every time Maxiflow 1A Turbo heads, with untold sense, since you get all the
you pull away, indicating that the proper bronze valve guides. It is correct components meaning, HOW HARD TO FIT?
valve stem oil seals have gone. ported, polished and gas-flowed, everything’s matched making the Not difficult at all, just patience,
Which is all an excellent excuse along with 43 mm inlet and 37.8 job dead straightforward. good instructions and
mm exhaust stainless valves and On top of this, we’re fitting a cleanliness and you shouldn’t go
fodder for fitting a performance
has 55cc combustion chambers wrong.
cam — well you’ve got the vernier pulley making setting up
top end stripped out so, it too. In short, it’s a work of art and on the rolling road even easier. IN THE TOOLKIT
would be rude not to fit some should easily give 200 bhp and up Right then, Biro out the way Valve spring compressor,
performance too. to 230, depending on boost. let’s get oily. sockets, torque wrench, lifter
removal tool, valve stem seal
removal tool (if still in car),
spanners (especially 8 mm)
CAM CHANGE — TRICKY, HUH? are intended to be used when
the valve stem oil seals need
Not really, especially if the head’s off the car. If it isn’t, you’ll need replacing but they’re ideal in this Since we’re fitting new valve springs, these need to come out
a special tool to hold the valves closed, various types of which, situation too. The same tool can be used to remove the lifters from next. So, turn the head over and fit a valve spring compressor
are available from most motor factors for roughly £15-20. These the bore — as we’ll see in a bit. Next the cam can be drawn straight out of the cylinder. between valve head and top of the valve spring — or use the valve
stem removal tool in its place.

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fasttech TOOLED UP CVH CAM SWAP fasttech

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With the tension taken off the spring, the valve collets can be … the springs and caps are free to pop out — it’s unlikely but the Once the valve’s installed back in the head by sliding it into Next, you can slide the new valve stem oil seal over the top of the
removed — be careful because once removed… springs could hit you! There’s tension there. the bronze guide, smear more lubricant onto the top of the valve stem and seat it on top of the valve guide.
valve stem.

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Once the springs are removed the valve stem oil seals can be slid off Ideally you don’t really need to take these off, which are rocker Drop the new valve spring and cap in place next… … followed by the spring compressor again plus the valve collets
the valve stem. wear pads, preventing damage to the alloy head posts. However, — these are in two parts and locate in the grooves in the valve
they’ll fall out if the head’s off the car, so keep them safe. tops. One is shown in place with the other following.

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Our head’s been worked on so it’s been completely stripped, plus Before this they need properly assembling, which means coating
it’s been super-cleaned in Vulcan’s special parts washing machine, the stems with lubricant. Vulcan’s Steve Curson uses cam lube, Once the valves and springs are installed, turn the head on its Ideally, you need to smear loads more lubricant over the cam,
making them lovely and blingy. Now, the new stainless valves need to liberally — you can’t use too much. end and fit a new oil seal into the cam pulley end of the head then slid it carefully into the pulley end of the head — it might
be fitted and lapped in. — a few drops of oil around the seal help to ease it in place. need a touch of gentle persuasion!

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fasttech TOOLED UP CVH CAM SWAP

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Once the cam’s installed, you can refit that cam thrust plate Steve drops some Loctite on the threads first though, to prevent
— ideally, clean it first, then reinstall the 8 mm fixing bolts. them from coming undone.

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Drop some light engine oil down the lifter bores to ensure all Don’t pre-soak the lifters in oil because you could cause them to
the cam lobes and the insides of the bores are properly covered pump up too much — rather smear the outsides in more oil and
with lubrication. slide them home down the bore.

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Once properly cleaned, you’ll need to reinstall those rocker wear plates Smear some cam lube on the rocker faces and re-fit the arm back
onto the rocker posts. in place…

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… this then needs to be torqued up to 22 lbf.ft. The vernier pulley can now be fitted, which should be straightforward
— it can only go on one way since it’s located using a keyway in the
cam. Refit the fixing bolt along with Loctite and torque up to 45 lbf.ft.

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