2005 RS Delta Cam install

[ScottyS]

Harbor Freight has some larger jack stands that work for this. The trick is to jack in stages so the car is never at too crazy an angle.

A tranny jack makes alignment of the tranny super-easy, and with the car up that high there is lots of room under there.

I just turned the tranny sideways on the jack to slide it out from under the car and vice-versa.

Juice, where are you sourcing your new tranny?

[100_Percent_Juice]

I am going to do the LGT 1st and 2nd gear swap.

[Street Pirate]

hey big have you completed this yet.
cam swaps on SOHC motors are super easy and dont require shims or buckets.
5 spd transmissions are quite light really and can be easily done by two people in a garage.

[bigrobwoot]

Well, I came in here to bump this and ask for some advice and words of encouragement lol. Street Pirate: sorry I didn't see your post ever, but no, I have not done the cams yet, but would like to in a couple weeks. I am definitely intimidated by the process tho. I have access to just about anything I could need, including a cherry picker if the timing is right. The only tools I will need are feeler gauges, and a Torx Plus bit (T-40, I believe). If anyone could lend them to me, that'd be sweet, otherwise I'll buy them.

For those of you who have changed your cams, how did you go about it? There are a few ways to do it from what I understand: 1) pull the engine, then have your way with it, or 2) pull just the heads, and work on them. I figure if I can pull the whole motor, I may as well. Is there anyone that could help me in the next couple weeks sometime? It is my only vehicle, so I need to finish in a weekend. I'll have a 4 day weekend (Fri-Mon) July 31st through August 3rd, and I figure this would probably be the best time, but I can work around anyone's schedule and take a 3-day weekend whenever necessary. The only experience I have working on cars is what I have done to my own, which is just about everything for an NA Subaru short of cams and front sway. If anyone could help, it would be much appreciated, and I could repay with beer/money/sexual favors (I'm lookin' your way, Joel )

Did it just get super gay in here?

[100_Percent_Juice]

I don't know why you are always looking my way. Your mouth aint that purdy.

I think I have a T40. What do you need it for?

[bigrobwoot]

I believe for the bolts holding the head together. I feel like I'll know when I get there

[Kevin M]

It's TorxPlus T40 I think, for the cam plates. Cory just did cams (essentially; didn't change the cams but removing them is part of the process of changing valve seals) and the motor was out since I had all the time in the world to get the job done. You could get the heads out without pulling the motor, but I'm not sure it's really any easier.

You'll also want to replace your timing belt while you're in there. It's not near the end of its lifespan yet, but you have to take it off anyway, and this way you can put it back another 100k or so.

[bigrobwoot]

Yeah I was planning on the belt as well. Thanks. I was hoping the cams were gonna be the expensive part, but it seems like all of the other stuff I should do while I'm in there is. The gasket overhaul kit, timing belt, coolant, oil and filter, air filter...

Cory, is there any way I could talk you into helping me with this project? Or anyone else that's been inside an engine before?

[sperry]

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

Yeah I was planning on the belt as well. Thanks. I was hoping the cams were gonna be the expensive part, but it seems like all of the other stuff I should do while I'm in there is. The gasket overhaul kit, timing belt, coolant, oil and filter, air filter...

Cory, is there any way I could talk you into helping me with this project? Or anyone else that's been inside an engine before?

If you're doing all that, do the waterpump, waterpump gasket, thermostat, and thermostat o-ring as well. I'm assuming cam seals get done w/ the new cams.

[bigrobwoot]

I believe the waterpump gasket comes with the gasket overhaul kit, and I'll look into a waterpump as well, thanks. I just changed my coolant and thermostat about 10k ago, but maybe I'll do the thermostat again. I know it's not much, but all the little costs add up quick, as I'm sure everyone knows. Any other suggestions?

[MPREZIV]

As I'm sure you can imagine, my schedule typically stays pretty full. Shit, sometimes I don't see my house in daylight for so long I forget what color it is! But if you dig into the job when I've got some free time, I could come and offer a professional hand or two. Say when.

[bigrobwoot]

July 31-August 4, or August 7-10, whenever you have time, I'll take the time off. Lemme know what you want in exchange. And please don't say my exhaust lol

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by sperry

If you're doing all that, do the waterpump, waterpump gasket, thermostat, and thermostat o-ring as well. I'm assuming cam seals get done w/ the new cams.

I did the t-stat and o-ring, but since the water pump was showing zero signs of leakage, Cory and I figured there was no reason to mess with it.


So, next week I'll probably find 3 drops of coolant in the driveway.

[bigrobwoot]

What I need help with most is:

1) Setting valve lash. I have no feeler gauges, and really have no idea what I'm doing here.

2) Setting timing on my timing belt. Really really really don't want to f this up.

3) Saying "don't touch that" when working on the inside of my engine. Seriously. I have a feeling this will be a big part of my engine running once it's all put back together lol

The rest should just be taking stuff apart and putting it back together, basically.

[bigrobwoot]

Originally Posted by Kevin M

I did the t-stat and o-ring, but since the water pump was showing zero signs of leakage, Cory and I figured there was no reason to mess with it.


So, next week I'll probably find 3 drops of coolant in the driveway.

How many miles are on your car?

Also, how much is a waterpump at the dealership? I might hold off unless I need it, and then just go grab it from the dealer if I do. That's always a gamble though

[Kevin M]

I haven't got the slightest idea how many miles are on that water pump actually. Could be as high as 150k, but probably a lot less. I'm at least the 3rd owner of that motor. But, the seal was totally intact, not even the slightest bit of leakage, so I let it be.

Water pumps aren't all that expensive. I think I got mine at NAPA for like $80, comes with a seal. I've actually got one here, but again, it was decided not to fix something that wasn't broke. Water Pump leaks are not an inevitability, like timing belt wear or rear mains. They could go at any moment, or last forever. So I took a chance to save that much labor while the motor was out.

[bigrobwoot]

Yeah I'll probably pick one up. Like I said earlier tho, none of the individual parts are too expensive, but it adds up quick. The good news is, I'm getting excited to finally be doing my cams haha

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Kevin M

I haven't got the slightest idea how many miles are on that water pump actually. Could be as high as 150k, but probably a lot less. I'm at least the 3rd owner of that motor. But, the seal was totally intact, not even the slightest bit of leakage, so I let it be.

Water pumps aren't all that expensive. I think I got mine at NAPA for like $80, comes with a seal. I've actually got one here, but again, it was decided not to fix something that wasn't broke. Water Pump leaks are not an inevitability, like timing belt wear or rear mains. They could go at any moment, or last forever. So I took a chance to save that much labor while the motor was out.

Once the motor is out and the timing belt is off, the water pump it all of 8 bolts to replace. I did mine on the SVX when I had everything apart even though it looked in pretty good shape. Of course my pump had 220kmiles on it.

[bigrobwoot]

I'll probably just do the water pump while I'm in there. Anything else I missed? Are there any other special tools required besides a T40 bit and feeler gauges? Can anyone lend me feeler gauges?

[MPREZIV]

Big breaker bar, 10mm hex bit (allen key) to fit the breaker bar, and a "bad mother fucker" disposition, for removing the cam gears...

[cody]

All of the parts I replaced when doing the timing belt on my car looked brand new. Idler gears, timing belt tensioner, water pump, thermostat, even the timing belt itself and the coolant. Stupid preventative maintenance.

I got all of the parts, coolant and coolant conditioner from John Gue, a guy I've known for years. He works at the parts counter of Heritage Subaru on the E. coast but they don't charge much for shipping at all. Best customer service from any online OEM parts counter, ever. He'll bend over backward to find part numbers and cross reference stuff for you.

www.subarupartsdepot.com

[bigrobwoot]

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

Big breaker bar, 10mm hex bit (allen key) to fit the breaker bar, and a "bad mother fucker" disposition, for removing the cam gears...

Well, I have the wallet that says I am... And I'll have to check on the hex bit. I know my roommate has a set of Allen wrenches, but I'm not sure on bits. I either saw those here or at Robby's place. Are either of those weekends gonna work for you? And are jackstands ok, or do you want me to bribe Robby for his lift?

Cody- I'll take a look, and as long as their cost after shipping is less than subarugenuineparts.com I'll order from them. Thanks

[bigrobwoot]

Cody: it's all a little cheaper through subarugenuineparts.com. I didn't see what the shipping would be, but their policies are similar, and it would have to be free for your friend's place to beat the overall price

[cody]

Maybe email him and ask him if he'll beat their price. No biggie though.

[cody]

Here's a current deal they're doing that might help: http://www.wrxfanatics.com/index.php?showtopic=59630

name='REX NFX' date='Apr 9 2009, 06:04 AM' post='836710'
Is it time for that timing belt change?

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