sandersd

'02 996

Do I have to install the cam locks on BOTH cylinder heads or is just the driver side sufficient?

KrazyK

I guess it depends on what your doing? For my IMSB I locked both sides and the crank. That would be the best thing to do. You can easily reach both sides to install the locks.

sandersd

Thanks KrazyK for your response. I'm replacing the IMS bearing. I want to know if I HAVE to lock both sides. The LNE kit only came with one lock and I used it to lock the driver's side cam. I don't want to take it off and lock the right rear cam if I don't have to.

Anyone who has successfully replaced their IMS using only one lock, I would appreciate your input.

bimmertek

I did an IMS LNE retrofit kit and the tool kit comes with one cam lock. You installed cam lock on tensioner on head that was removed the one located closest to flywheel(bank1), the other tensioner is under ac compressor you don't have to removed it unless IMS just wont come out. I did removed all cam plugs on bank 2 I just used a sharpie to mark cam location just in case chain slip.

bimmertek

I forgot IMS LN instructions only mentions locking one head

sandersd

It's my own fault - I should have read thru the instructions more carefully. All the pics I have seen show the lock installed on the driver's side near the rear of the car, so that's what I did. The LNE instructions say to lock the right side nearest the flywheel.

It was a major pain to install the lock so I'm wondering if it's really necessary to remove it and move it to the other head or if locking the one head where it's already installed is adequate.

KrazyK

You have the same engine I do. In my kit, one lock is for both cams, the other lock only locks one cam making it easier to install on that side. Its certainly safer to lock both banks. Im in orange (90 miles from you). If your not in a hurry, you want me to send you both locks or run em over to you? I have extra cam plugs too.

sandersd

Well the answer is the lock LNE provides for the 3.6 only works on the 1-3 driver side cams at the pully side. The boss where the ground cable attaches apparently protrudes further from the centerline of the camshafts on the 4-6 bank than the boss on the 1-3 bank because when I inserted the lock it fit in the upper cam but was about a 1/4" away from fitting in the lower cam but the boss prevented it from inserting into the groove.

The one-sided lock for the 3.4 will not fit inside the cam slot on the 3.6 - it is too wide -so that will not work.

KrazyK

Thats odd. Maybe my kit is not the same because I was able to lock both banks. I do remember being able to use both locks but dont recall the sizes. I will look when I get home. If you remove two tensioners, lock the crank, and one bank, maybe thats enough. I do remember some saying to remove all three tensioners but the top side one is PITA. I locked both sides, crank, removed two tensioners, and nothing moved. The IMS was perfectly centered as I installed new bearing. I think I locked 4-6 with the single lock.

sandersd

Pics of the rear of engine 4-6 bank camshafts.

Both cams aligned:


Bottom cam - tool will not align (it only fits one way) into the groove:


Top cam with tool inserted and up against the boss:

KrazyK

I just got my engine back in. Please, please dont ask me to pop the cam plugs and install my locks!

You pic links dont work. I will look when I get home. Relax and dont get in a hurry. Its great that your doing this.

sandersd

I won't - please don't.

I'm not used to iphoto so they were too big. Found out I have to export the file for it to save the crop...

KrazyK

Have you tried it after turning engine over (at crank) 360 degrees? You have not removed tensioners yet, right?

sandersd

It's done.

boatbuilder

Was able to get locks in by going 1 degree past TDC then backing up 1 deg to install timing pin