i was wondering if anyone themselves have installed a schrick cam yet on a mcs.....i work for bimmer so i have a system called centernet that gives us instructions on how to do it but would also like to see from what someone might or has done a install one of these cams...the loop holes so to speak...please reply to this if you have....

thanks

BATES

 

the timing case cover will prevent the chain from dropping enough to skip a tooth on the crank sprocket. it is useful to get the cam locking bracket from Mini to hold the cam while tightening the sprocket nut. high lift cam lobes can contact the spark plug tubes...they might need special "bumps" made for lobe clearance

 

what do you mean by bumps.....i havent heard of anyone hearing of the schrick cam hitting the spark plug tubes.....as for the bracket.....can you do it with out that, what to use.....


BATES

 

It is called Clearencing. We do it on every Shrick Cam that we install into our Performance Cylinder Heads. If not done, the Schrick can scrape the Spark plug Tubes. That is why you should rotate The Cam before putting the head back together. That way you do not have a chance of it hitting the tubes.

An easy way to do it from what we have found is to take the cam, and spin it slowly till it hits the tube. Then mark the tube, and remove the cam. Take a solid metal bar at least 1/2" diamater. and hold it against the area that needs to be clearenced, then tap is slightly with a hammer. (remember, it's easier to do to little, and hit again, then to much and undo it) Then put the cam back and turn again. see if it hits. if it does not hit, you are done, if it does, then give it another small tap until it doesnt. Then make sure that you can still fit a spark plug socket into the tube before assembly.

 

Funny this came up...I'm having a Shrick cam put in...should be about now:smile:

 

one way of gaining valve lift is to have the lobe max diameter larger, which can bring it into contact with the plug tube. then you need to dent the plug tube to clear the lobe.

 

so in a way you are pretty much bending the tubes out of the way of the cam but no a lot... just enough for the clearance?? right???? thanks much

BATES

 

and another thing is that i am putting this cam into a stock head just to let you know....

BATES

 

Not quite bending, but denting....

 

yeah, you will need the tool for the cam gear to do this right. i have also had to clearence the spark pulg tubes on all cams, cooper or cooper s. i actually put the spark plug socket in the tube while taping so i do not go to far and it give a bit of support at the same time. it just needs a small amount. good luck.

 

Ok, I need some help please guys...


I installed the ported head and Shrick cam but I did the stupidest thing and dented the spark plug tubes just that little bit too much to the extent that I can't get my socket down the tube to torque up the spark plugs any longer . At least the cam lobes now clear the spark plugs by about a mile .

Could someone please offer some advice? I am hopeful that someone out there has done something similar once before and found a way around it :smile:

Many thanks in advance,

Henry

 

I wouldn't worry too much...just push the socket down the tube to make it's own clearance:smile:

 

Thanks Msfitoy :smile:


The only problem is that I don't have one of those specific 'spark plug' tools but am using a socket set. If I go too deep and the socket gets stuck then I will have a hell of a time getting it out. I also like to use a torque wrench when dealing with spark plugs :smile:

I was thinking, could I get away with making little dents in the spark plug tubes whilst the head is still on the car or can you forsee me causing some potential damage? I would use a rubber mallet and a small flathead screwdriver.

Maybe I should just go out and get a spark plug tool and jam it in until it clears the 'bulge'?

Cheers,

Henry

 

I would invest in a proper sized socket for the spark plug now that you've gone this far Mine gets stuck in there all the time so I've taped it to my extention with thin clear packing tape. Hope that'll work for you too:smile:

BTW...don't do the screw driver thingy...bad idea:smile:

 

Craftsman makes extensions with locking ends; other makes have this feature also in their line-up. The 10-inch is just the right size to clearance the intercooler cover and no worries about dropping the spark plug if used with a proper spark plug socket. I have a rule about tools that has served me well; if I have a need for it twice, I buy it. Checking plug torque in a MINI head should be done on a regular basis. My former head held plug torque; the new one allows the number 2 plug to back out.
Some added tips for the cam install. Use engine assembly lube on everything before closing-up. And, be careful not to wipe off whatever marking is used for indexing the cam chain with the cam sprocket.

 

Thanks so much again guys

Damn I love NAM.

K-huevo:

Don't worry about the timing being out. I marked up the chain with the arrow on the cam sproket and luckily had the BMW cam sprocket tool on loan and it all lined up beautifully before reassembly. I used enigine oil to grease up the cam etc during install and used a torque wrench wherever specific torque values were needed as stated in the Bentley manual.

Today is the day I fill the car back up with coolant and if I manage to get those spark plugs tightened, I'll be starting her up today!

Wish me luck!

Cheers,

Henry

 

No worries Msfitoy, I won't do the screwdriver thing now you've advised against it. I'll do the same as you and tape that socket real tight to the extension arm and push it down that SP tube until a little clearance is produced

Cheers,

Henry

 

use a little lube on your plug tube swaging operation.

don't freak if the rockers clatter like crazy when you first run it. They can drain oil out of the hydraulic adjuster and need a bit of running to pump up; run it under 2000rpm until they are quiet.