My 968 has 110,000 miles. Cam gears do show some wear but not too extensive. I know if money were no object I would replace the cams, chain and tensioner. Since I do not have a few extra thousand dollars laying around, would replacing the chain and tensioner pads extend the life of the original cams? Anyone have experience with doing this?

 

I have 85,xxx miles and i am going replace the pads but not the chain. The reason for this the chain and the sprockets have matted together. Sometimes when you mat an old and new part together you can get accerated wear. Check the chain and see how "tight" it is.

Mike

 

Mike, do check the chain to make sure its not stretched. I recently saw a car with a snapped chain at only 62K. It can happen. I would change the chain if I was you.
Raj

 

Hey Raj, Tim was asking whether or not worn cam teeth will be a cause for concern and if he can get by with just changing the pads and chain. My recommendation, especially since Tim is a friend and I'd hate to see him get burned bad, would be to bite the bullet now and get it all done, rather than risk it. What are your thoughts?

Regards,

 

Scott, you know I don't like to cut corners so I think you know my answer. The chain probably has created deeper notches in the cam sprockets. This would make the next chain stretch faster than normal. I hate telling people to buy new cams but that is the only safe bet.
Your other choice would be to buy a complete head with good cams. See what you can find. If you can't find anything, let me know.
Raj

 

Well, I was telling Tim that over the weekend, and I think he was hoping I was wrong. lol I am hoping if he hears it from you as well...

Regards,

 

Thanks for the follow up. Scott, I know you are not wrong and I know the best thing would be to replace everything but I guess I am having a hard time swallowing that big bill just for the parts to replace cams and vario-cam. My cams do show some wear but not as bad as some pictures that I have seen. I guess I was hoping I could delay the big bill for a few thousand miles by replacing the chain and guides only for now. Anybody have a good source for new cams and vario cam assembly? I have found one website that quotes the cams for around $650 each. Have no idea on the vario cam. My guess is $1,000

 

I would only swap the cams, chain and pad not variocam unless u have a good reason to. I have hardly ever seen those fail. Like I said, if all else fails, let me know. I have a complete head with 43K on it.
Raj

 

Raj, If you were to change the cams should you also replace the lifters?

 

If you were to ask someone like Jon Milledge, the answer would be a "yes". This can quickly turn into a fat bill. The question is how far do you want to go. The cams/lifters always wear together so its always adviseable to keep the matching set together. This could easily turn into a $4-5K bill before you know it.
Raj

 

I agree that in an effort to just take care of a few slightly worn sprockets that I could easily end up spending large amounts of money. I know you mentioned that you have a complete head but I hope I am not to that point yet. Of course unless the price is too good to pass up. Know anybody that has a good set of cams?

 

T, most people don't want to split cams from a head unless ofcourse they are damaged. Right now, a set of good cams are more valuable than the core head itself. You never know, get some feelers out there. I see complete heads poping up once in a while.
Raj

 

My chain appears to be tight and the sprockets look good. I will have the mechanic look at to be sure.

Thanks, Mike

 

How easy/difficult is it to get into the cam tower to check the cam chain?

H2

 

Just take off the valve cover and it's right there-remove the fuel lines and then the bolts holding the cover on (5 mm I think...). You'll need to clean up the gasket with some rubbing alcohol before you put the cover back on. Good luck,

Steve