vmax84

1989 4runner 4 cylinder. Camshaft is junk. Compressin is good on all cylinders. Can I replace the camshaft without tearing the head off?

Thanks.

vmax84

tanman2003

you can, but it is not guaranteed that the head gasket will seal

jimbo74

physically yes... however... to replace the camshaft necessitates pulling out the head bolts as that is what secures the rocker arm assembly that secures the camshaft....

a few people have done this with sucess, but usually, as a hg is not reuseable, if you try and do this, it will not seal properly upon re-assembly and you will have a hg leak....

montypower

It breaks the seal most of the time. I ran into this recently doing it on my bro's rig. Coolant was leaking everywhere when the head bolts were removed. I'd plan on pulling the head and having it going through at the same time.

Eddie Monster

I have done it many times with great success.
There is coolant drain valve/bolt on the driver side of block between #3 and 4 cylinder, You drain the coolant from the block until there is no more coolant coming out.Undo the head bolts change cam.avoid moving the cylinder head, retorque head bolts 5 to 10 LB s more then factory recommended spec.
It worked for me every time i have done it ,never had a head gasket problem yet.

DudeBud

pull the plugs and you might be ok

vmax84

I might gamble and take a shot at just replacing the camshaft. This winter, I plan on getting the head redone, replacing the timing chain stuff, and anything else I can think of when I park the truck for the winter (will park it in my pole barn to keep it away from the Michigna salt).

Hmmmmmmmmmm.........

vmax84

MTL_4runner

You might be able to pull it off but I would definately remove any means for pressure that might break the HG seal (remove the plugs, drain the coolant, etc).....even still there is no guarantee it will work.