Camshaft Installation and Degreeing Instructions
4.6-Liter 4 Valve Engines
Thank you for choosing COMP Cams® products; we are proud to be your manufacturer of choice. Please read
this instruction sheet carefully before beginning installation, and also take a moment to review the included
limited warranty information.
This instruction sheet is broken down into several categories for ease of use. Some of the topics may not apply
to every application, but all of the information will be very beneficial during the cam installation process. If
there are any questions or problems during the installation, please do not hesitate to contact the toll free CAM
HELP® line at 1-800-999-0853, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.
Camshaft Installation
Step 1: Prepare a clean work area and assemble the tools needed for the camshaft installation. The use of an
automotive manual is strongly recommended for help in determining which components must be removed from
your engine in order to expose the camshafts, camshaft sprockets and timing chain assembly. A good, complete
repair manual will save both time and frustration during the installation of your new camshaft set.
Step 2: Remove the intake manifold and valve covers from the motor.
Step 3: Remove spark plugs, crank pulley, damper and engine front cover.
Step 4: Remove the primary timing chains and outer camshaft sprockets.
Step 5: Remove the secondary timing chain assemblies after relieving the tension on the secondary drive
assembly by depressing the plunger and inserting a pin to lock it in place.
Step 6: Rotate the crankshaft keyway counterclockwise 90° from 12 o’clock (to about the 9 o’clock position).
Note that this step is vital in order to avoid contact between the pistons and valves while rotating the cams for
the purpose of rocker arm removal.
Step 7: Rotate the camshaft so that the heel of the cam lobe is positioned over the rocker arm that you wish to
remove. Using the appropriate rocker arm service tool, compress the valve spring and remove the rocker arm.
Repeat this process until all of the rocker arms have been removed.
Step 8: Once all of the rocker arms have been removed, unbolt and remove the cam towers. Be sure to keep
track of the order in which you removed the cam tower caps and cap bolts, as they are not all the same size.
Step 9: Remove the old camshafts. Liberally coat your new COMP Cams® camshafts with the supplied
assembly lube. It is a good idea to use an additional bottle of lube, available from COMP Cams® (Part #152) in
order to ensure that you have enough lubricant for a proper installation. This is very important as (unlike a
conventional small block) pre-lubing the modular motor is difficult without some type of pressurized external
oiling system.
Step 10: Tighten all of the cam tower bolts using factory torque specification and tightening sequence. Verify
that each camshaft spins freely without binding (note that slight resistance to turning is normal).
Phone: (901) 795-2400 Fax: (901) 366-1807
COMP Cams®
3406 Democrat Rd.
Memphis, TN 38118
www.compcams.com
INSTRUCTIONS
Part # COMP4-102
Revised 7/10/06
Step 11: Position the crankshaft keyway at 12 o’clock, lock the camshafts (keyways facing down) and attach the
secondary camshaft gears and timing chains, making sure that the timing marks on the secondary gears line up
with the copper coated links on the secondary timing chains. Return tension to the secondary timing chains by
removing the pin that was inserted in step 5.
Step 12: Attach the primary camshaft gears and timing chains, making sure that the timing marks on the
camshaft and crankshaft gears line up with the copper coated links on the primary timing chains.
Step 13: Torque the camshaft bolts to the factory specification. Return tension to the timing chains following the
factory recommended procedure.
Step 14: Reinstall the rocker arms using the reverse of the procedure outlined in step 6.
Useful Part Numbers*
4.6L 4 Valve Camshaft
Camshaft Gear
12mm Camshaft
Cam Bolt Washer
F8AZ-6256-AA (RH) F1AZ-6278-A F1AZ-6A340-A F1AZ-6278-A
F8AZ-6256-BA (LH)
Secondary Drive Gear 4V →
F8ZZ-6256-AA
* Note that these are Ford factory part numbers, not COMP Cams® part numbers.
Camshaft Degreeing Procedure
The purpose of degreeing a camshaft is to ensure that it is phased correctly with the crankshaft. Some factors
that may cause improper phasing are:
• Camshaft or crankshaft gear marked incorrectly
• Incorrectly machined cam or crank gear keyways
• Misindexed cam keyway or dowel pin
• Improper machining of camshaft or crankshaft
• Accumulation of machine tolerances
The important factor to remember is that correct camshaft phasing is critical for efficient engine operation.
COMP Cams® offers all the equipment needed to properly degree in a camshaft, which includes the following:
• Degree wheel, COMP Cams® Part #4790
• Rigid pointer that can be attached to the engine block, COMP Cams® Part #4794
• Dial indicator with enough range to measure full cam lift, COMP Cams® Part #4909
• Magnetic or attachable base to affix the dial indicator, COMP Cams® Part #4907
• Top dead center stop, COMP Cams® Part #4795
• A means to attach the degree wheel to the crankshaft –COMP Cams® Pro Crankshaft Socket (Part
#4798) works very well for this purpose, as it provides a convenient means of rotating the engine in
addition to firmly anchoring the degree wheel in place.
Also required in order to degree your new COMP Cams® 4.6-liter camshafts are a 1” wrench, and solid valve
adjuster (lifter).
Phone: (901) 795-2400 Fax: (901) 366-1807
COMP Cams®
3406 Democrat Rd.
Memphis, TN 38118
www.compcams.com
Part # COMP4-102
Revised 7/10/06