5.0 cam sensor body shaft play?

[lowflyingbird]

In my quest to hunt out and destroy all the bugs still left in my 98 Ex. an elder friend of mine ,VERY farmiliar with engines!! asked me if I had changed the distributor shaft body (cam sensor and shaft body). He is, and has been a exporter of engines for about 30yrs, With a race background. I have bought from him everything from closed chamber 351 cleavland heads (rare)to DOOE BBF parts. A while ago he gave me the cam sensor and shaft from a low mile 5.0 Ex. I was told that since the shaft assembly had such a short body the part tend to wear a bit and gets alot of shaft play, hurting my upper rpm. I have heard this before with distributors, it does seem to be worse with this unit. Have any other people had such an issue? I'm aware most never check it.

 

[Turdle]

You mean, like this?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155206&highlight=chirp

 

[tktrain]

Jon: Did you have an issue with your sensor? I hadn't heard of this being a problem. I have a spare that I removed from a zero mile Explorer crate engine a buddy of mine bought a few years back to put in his 1991 Mustang LX 5.0.

 

[Turdle]

oh, I wouldn't swap in another app sensor--they are different.
Also, it is crucial to have the tool for install.

I did have issues with mine, it was a 102k part I didn't want to use in a new engine. Since it drives the oil pump I replaced it. Notice, if the shaft seizes, the oil pump will not be driven--the gear will shear the 1/16" pin holding it in place-and spin freely.
I also helped a friend change his, in an identical 98 mounty--it is his in the video ha ha

 

[lowflyingbird]

SOOOooo, I guess at 166k I should check mine out!!??

I will check it out, I'm also planning a fresh engine build for the truck come spring.
What is so special about the tool mentioned? I was just going to mark the body rotation to the block with a scribe, and the shaft rotation to the body the same way, thus it would go back exactly the same as it came out, with the accuracy of a razor line.
Please reply
Thanks
Keith

 

[Turdle]

I will check it out, I'm also planning a fresh engine build for the truck come spring.
What is so special about the tool mentioned? I was just going to mark the body rotation to the block with a scribe, and the shaft rotation to the body the same way, thus it would go back exactly the same as it came out, with the accuracy of a razor line.
Please reply
Thanks
Keith

Yeah, that will work for replacing the same unit--however a new one will have to be aligned, of course.
Remember though, there are 2 reference lines to be drawn--

Position of shaft housing to intake manifold- block--
position of stator to housing. Really though, it should just drop back into place---

 

[98EBauer5.0MarkS]

CamSensorQuestion?

You mean, like this?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155206&highlight=chirp

Mr.Smith! MyExploder pulled up the codes for a bad camshaft sensor, &w/multiple misfires! Pickedup a Sensor. Do I need to set the timing to 10 deg. ATDC? Looks like the sensor goes right back in place where the two screwss came out of the assembly. The veh. has 130K miles, What determined the total replacement of the unit? Did you check the sensor first?
Thanx for any help for the confused!

 

[Turdle]

The one in the video was replaced due to wear-noise of the drive unit.

What code do you get?
I have heard of "alternator voltage regulators" malfunctioning, and throwing codes--
If my battery voltage gets low-it is the first code displayed--

Since you already have the sensor--try it.

The alignment procedure is used when replacing the entire drive unit--which the sensor mounts to.

 

[98EBauer5.0MarkS]

CamSensorQuestion?

The codes are P1309-CMP Sensor Output Fault: two other codes for multiple eng misfires & lastly the vehicle started running rough. In putting on just the sensor on top it has no moveable parts, just the two screws. How would I access w/o a lift the timing marks on the balancer? to advance the timing? Do I need to advance the timing do to the vehicle may be out of whack, if the sensor's not operating properly? Thanx Again! MarkS

 

[Turdle]

The codes are P1309-CMP Sensor Output Fault: two other codes for multiple eng misfires & lastly the vehicle started running rough. In putting on just the sensor on top it has no moveable parts, just the two screws. How would I access w/o a lift the timing marks on the balancer? to advance the timing? Do I need to advance the timing do to the vehicle may be out of whack, if the sensor's not operating properly? Thanx Again! MarkS

You just need to replace the sensor where it is. It is unlikely the shaft moved.

Besides-The CMP sensor effects fuel injector timing only-( misfire could be here)

The crank sensor signals the spark curcuit--coil packs


You might find, when you pull your sensor off, a bunch of debris inside. Cleaning this may rid you of your troubles.

It is a flag type sensor--if the gap is plugged up, the sensor will not "see" the flag passing thru it--

Keep in mind--the debris is probably small fragments of shaft bushing----