How hard is it to replace the Cam in a 3.5EFI V8

[smac]

Hi,

im thinkin of doing the Cam in my 3.5rangie, as i beleive it is warn (2 different rover mechs have told me so).

i have credit at triumph rover spares which will cover the cost of the cam itself, but if it was to install it, would it be very hard ? ive been told that it isnt, just a matter of lining it up properly?

any ideas?

thanks.

[smac]

come on, surely someone here has an idea

[Loanrangie]

Not hard, just got to be careful to get everything lined up properly as you said. Messy job with pulling the whole front of the motor / manifold and valley cover off and removing rad if motor left in car.

[Philip A]

You do realize that you have to replace the timing chain, sprockets, and cam followers as well. Be careful to have the engine a no1 TDC firing when you pull it apart and mark the positions of dizzy, rotor etc . Its very easy to mistime the engine.

Its pretty straightforward but you must be careful as you put the new cam in that you do not damage the bearings, although by now a 3.5 would probably have shagged bearings anyway. Look in your oil pump. you may find you need new gears ( if you want that red oil light to go out) if bits of cam have been circulating and also the rockers and shafts can be stuffed but few people fix that as the engine will run OK even with stuffed rockers..
You have to take the radiator out and undo the aircon condenser and lay it down. it may be worthwhile to evacuate the air, and remove the condenser but you may be able to work around it by undoing the engine mounts and raising the engine with a jack.
regards Philip A