Email from local speed shop:

can you take out cams in my 2001 ford lightning so I can have them sent in for regrinds? how much will it cost to take them out then put them back in?

--We haven't done this before on the Lightning, so I can't say exactly how much. A rough estimate of maybe $700? It might be less.

Does that seem like a reasonable price? I decided not to do the regrinds on the cams but am just wondering.

 

It appears they're charging you one full day of labor plus one extra hour for problems (guaranteed max. contract).

Spike

 

ill take them out for $100... i've never done it but i figure $100 would cover my frustration... plus drinks

 

JBig,

Didn't something about their reply tip you off that perhaps they may not be the best choice for regrinds...

I don't know if I'd want my truck to be the Guinea pig.

Just a thought,

Dan

 

are the cams on a L the same as the stocker 5.4, if so the naturally aspirated 5.4 has cam lobes which are pressed on and if that is the case can these pressed on lobes be reground, if there diffrent then, my bad...

here is a link explaining the natural 5.4...

http://sturgeon.www4.50megs.com/paulspage.html

jim

 

It's not a difficult job (ok, the rear cam cover bolts aren't much fun) but it is time-consuming getting everything out of the way then removing the cam covers, FEAD, dampers, pumps, front cover, timing chains, and lash adjusters prior to loosening the cam caps and then the cams themselves. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure you keep the caps in their respective positions and orientation after removing the cams.

On some engines with removable cam gears you can actually use a tool to hold the chain tensioners in place while you remove the cam...this way you don't have to remove the damper, front cover, pumps, etc., just the cam covers. I've done it this way several times but it is a bit crude. And if that tool slips and the tensioner ratchets even 1 notch, you will have to pull everything off anyway.

 

The cams in the Lightning are the same as those on the rest of the 5.4's. The lobes are pressed on, and yes, some companies (Crane is one of them I believe) are grinding the base circle to create more lift. You'll have to use a set of lash caps to compensate for the reduced base circle on the cam.

 

struck in AZ,
i was just goin to have them take the cams out and put them in. i was goin to send the cams in to scperformance for the regrind.


can someone please tell me what lash caps are?

 

Check with Sig Erson Cams. I spoke with them at the SEMA show in November, about cams for 4.6/5.4 engines. Apparently, they have arranged to get new cores from Ford, so you can buy regrinds outright. The rep also mentioned, that they will be maknig their own soon, so they can grind more radical cams w/o upsetting the valve train geometry.