LordZanthus

So I've got a 1990 4runner 3.0L that I got from my inlaws with a blow headgasket. I have proceeded to tear everything down put a new gasket on (with all the machining and whatnot that goes with that). I've gone to put my camshafts back on, and as I go to tighten the #1 cam bearing bolt it just spins in the head on either side. Now I know I need to helicoil the holes the problem is the guide pins for the cam bearings. I'm not sure how to take them off so I can get my helicoil in. I've tried searching the forums and I'd rather not have to take the heads back off and to the machine shop. Any ideas?

xxxtreme22r

I had to do the same thing, they are in there tight, I had to use a pair of vise grips on them and rotate them out. Put a rag or something between the guides and the vice grips so you don't mar them up. Just be very careful on the alignment of the helicoils as it can cause the cap to get cocked which will pinch the cam too tight. If I had to do it again, I would have a machine shop do it.