fact: to r&r a cam on a 22R engine, you must remove the rocker shafts
fact: rocker shafts are held down by the head bolts
fact: head bolts must be removed to take cam out

question: can you change the cam without replacing the head gasket?

just curious. If it's a REAL pita, I might as well do the timing chain and front cover and la de da, but that would take a whole day.

I just picked up a regrind for $45 from a guy who bought it, then faced this dilemma, and subsequently sold the vehicle.

 

I've done it, you can too. FIRST THING,,,,drain the coolant,,,remove the sparkplugs. CAREFULLY remove the headbolts. CAREFULLY remove the rockers. The "hidden" bolt kinda keeps the head in place. Make spacers the same length as the rocker stand. Now use 4 headbolts and spacers to secure the head. With the head temporarly secured, proceed with the cam change. Throughly clean the headbolts and the threads in the block before reassembly. Coat the headbolts with never-sieze and carefully reassemble.
As long as the head is undisturbed, you'll be fine.

 

Ive done it twice on the same engine that had cam issues and change of valve seals.You make sure you dont use the truck upon that day.Everything has to be cold and coolant drained completely.After that you just do a normal rocker arm assembly removal and installation in reverse.Just got to torque the head bolts to specs and put back the coolant and water before firing it up.The headers on the exhaust side and the EFI braces will secure the head so you dont lose that head gasket seal.

 

I <3 yotatech.

Thanks guys.

 

I was thinking about doing the same thing on my 22re. My only question is how do you make sure the timing chain doesn't move and skip a tooth in the lower gear? Are you taking off the timing chain cover at the same time?

 

You should remove the cam gear BEFORE removing the headbolts, and replace it AFTER the headbolts are reinstalled.
No need to remove timing cover. Set engine to TDC before begining the project. Confirm that #1 is in firing position. Keyway in cam gear should be just left of 12 oclock. Put corresponding marks on cam gear and the chain. I use baling wire to keep the chain in place on the gear. Maintain upward tension on the gear and chain as you remove it from the cam. I use a bunge cord and fasten it to the gear and the hood while I r&r the cam.