I've seen a number of pics on here with very nicely polished cam covers. I would like to do that, but I understand that removing and replacing the camshaft can be difficult with a high probability of damage. For those of you who have taken the plunge, do you strip the whole thing down, or just polish with the camshaft in it?

 

The camshaft housing is super easy to remove.
The only chance of damage is if you drop the thing.

Removing the cam from the housing is also super easy.
If you have done a 944 belt job before, removing the cam tower should take I don't know...30 minutes?

 

When you take the cam out of the tower, it's easiest to stand the tower on it's end and lift the cam out. That way it's easier to not scratch the lobes.

 

Should be no chance to scratch the cam - the lobes are steel vs the aluminum housing.
It is a tight fit in there though.

 

Use a good quality allen head socket...you don't want to strip a bolt inside the cam tower. BTDT on a friend's car and had to use a grinder to cut it open.

 

 

Thanks, guys! Mission accomplished! The Haynes manual made it sound like a job that requires special tools and an experienced mechanic. Now to find where that valve spacer dropped...

 

There's your problem. Lol. I use them for other vehicles, but they don't get the 944. Clark's Garage is much better.

 

Gonna soda-blast it first or just go all-in with the polishing efforts?

 

Don't know. I'll see what the machine shops do around here

 

Oh, I don't know. I find the manual quite useful. And, you'll find a nice list of torque values and the like on the first page of each (where appropriate) chapter.

 

FWIW I've recently begun to prep my cam cover for a tidy up too (except ill be painting not polishing). Mine looked in similar condition as yours. To get it to this stage took me about 30 mins with some mild aluminum cleaner and a laundry brush.

 

I've got my eye on the harbor freight blast cabinet, so I might see what I can do with walnut shells first

 

Glass bead works really well. I thought about buying the Harbor Freight unit but instead purchased a similar bench top unit from Eastwood. Before and after pictures below for reference.





And after some polishing and clear coat. These things can clean up really nicely!



-Justin

 

Looks nice! I tried walnut shells on some smaller parts but was unimpressed. I'm going to try some glass beads or aluminum oxide and see how that does.