can't turn cam with head on the bench

[jayuuey]

I had my head resurfaced, valve job, etc. a week ago. Its been sitting in a plastic bag and you can still see assembly grease on the cam and rockers. I read some thread about cam bearing seized but that couldn't happen in a weeks time I'm assuming. How much torque is needed to move the cam/timing wheel? I put about 40ft lbs on it and I'm afraid to strip the bolt if i go any further.

Thanks

[Farwest92]

I've had a couple of heads on the bench and could turn them with the timing gear while wearing gloves. There is a surprising amount of resistance turning a cold cam. If you have an old timing belt you can use it like a strap wrench on the gear.

[uturn]

Are there flats on the cam that you can put a wrench on? You do have the head turned on it'it's side so the valves can move freely right?

[sittingaaron]

^^This.^^

Easy mistake to make, as you have the most advantage while it's sitting valves-down.

[jayuuey]

I tried turning it valves side down with wood slats under the sides and with it laying on the exhaust studs. I'll try getting a strap wrench tomorrow and see if it works.

Should I try loosening all of the eccentrics? They seem a bit tight.

[jeffnhiscars]

It's a good idea to always check valve clearance on the bench and not trust that someone else did it right. having said that it's possible that if they are too tight, some valves will stay open which means there are multiple springs putting tension on your cam which, obviously, would make it harder to turn.

Just a theory :)

[Ether-D]

^I like this theory. If the eccentrics seem tight, they likely are. Most of the rockers (the 9 or so unloaded ones) should be able to rock just enough to ticky-tick a little when being wiggled with your fingers. Good luck bro. Maybe also give your machinist a call.

[jayuuey]

i double checked and eight rockers actually have enough clearance to click. i'll take it back to machinist next week. bummed i can't start my head swap this weekend!

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[TobyB]

Use the old belt trick, and make sure it turns. It probably WILL take 40+ ft/lbs
but it should kick and snap ahead and back as you go. If it won't turn, don't use it!

My version would be to loosen all the eccentrics fully, and see if you can rock the cam a bit.
If it's bound solid, that's way wrong.

hth

t

[jayuuey]

Hunch is correct. Eccentrics were too tight. I fully loosened all of them and I'm good to go. Thanks all.