How to get cam bearings clean during rebuild? 4.0 OHV

[MattinEugene]

I've just gotten my block back from the machine shop and on the engine stand in my garage. I had new cam bearings put in, but want to make sure everything is clean before assembly. How do you access the cam bearings to make sure there's no dust or debris? Can't get to the from the top or bottom, and I don't want to just shoot air in there and hope.

Thanks!

Matt
96 Explorer 2WD 4.0 OHV

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

I've just gotten my block back from the machine shop and on the engine stand in my garage. I had new cam bearings put in, but want to make sure everything is clean before assembly. How do you access the cam bearings to make sure there's no dust or debris? Can't get to the from the top or bottom, and I don't want to just shoot air in there and hope.

Thanks!

Matt
96 Explorer 2WD 4.0 OHV

When ever I get blocks back from a machine shop, I use simple green, and garden hose with a high pressure nozzle to jet through all the passage ways, then blow with compressed air, then spray down with WD40 or equivalent, then wrap with plastic bag until ready to continue further. If possible it is a good idea to run brushes through all oil passage ways to make sure they are clean. WIth a bare block, there are no areas that you cant get to, it just take time and effort, all your freeze plugs should be REMOVED and no oil gallery plugs installed, these are only installed once you have verified all parts of the block are clean and un-obstructed. I dont trust a machine shop to do the final cleaning, even if they say they did.
Rule number one: check your work,
rule number two, check your work again
rule number three, check it once more!

 

[MattinEugene]

When ever I get blocks back from a machine shop, I use simple green, and garden hose with a high pressure nozzle to jet through all the passage ways, then blow with compressed air, then spray down with WD40 or equivalent, then wrap with plastic bag until ready to continue further. If possible it is a good idea to run brushes through all oil passage ways to make sure they are clean. WIth a bare block, there are no areas that you cant get to, it just take time and effort, all your freeze plugs should be REMOVED and no oil gallery plugs installed, these are only installed once you have verified all parts of the block are clean and un-obstructed. I dont trust a machine shop to do the final cleaning, even if they say they did.
Rule number one: check your work,
rule number two, check your work again
rule number three, check it once more!

Thanks for the reply. The machine shop put new freeze plugs in. There's just no access to these from the top or bottom; you can barely catch a glance of them. I suppose I could put a length of platic hose on my air nozzle and get in there, but it's not the same as being able to wipe them down. And it doesn't allow me to get any engine lube on them.

I guess I will wheel it outside and clean it with soap and water, then blow it out.

 

[Gary Crist]

Can't you pre-oil those w/ a 5/16 socket on the pump shaft
before you put in the CPS/ disty?

 

[MattinEugene]

Can't you pre-oil those w/ a 5/16 socket on the pump shaft
before you put in the CPS/ disty?

I can do that, thanks. I'm going to load the camshaft up with assembly lube as well.