COMP Cams COMP4-103 User Manual

Camshaft Installation and Degreeing Instructions

4.6/5.4-Liter 2 and 3 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 the spark plugs, crankshaft pulley, damper and engine front cover.

Step 4: Relieve the tension on the timing chains and remove them.

Step 5: Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise from the 12 o’clock position, setting the keyway at a 45° angle

(about halfway between 10 and 11 o’clock). 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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: [phone] Fax: [phone]

COMP Cams®

3406 Democrat Rd.

Memphis, TN 38118

www.compcams.com

INSTRUCTIONS

Part # COMP4-103

Revised 7/10/06

Step 10: Rotate the crankshaft keyway back to the 12 o’clock position, and attach the 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 timing chains.

Step 11: Use a 1” open end wrench on the hex bolster in the middle of each camshaft to hold it in place, and
torque the camshaft bolt to the factory specification. Return tension to the timing chains following the factory
recommended procedure.

Step 12: Reinstall the rocker arms using the reverse of the procedure outlined in step 6.

Useful Part Numbers*

4.6L 2 & 3 Valve Camshaft

Camshaft Gear

12 MM Camshaft

Cam Bolt Washer

F8AZ-6256-AA (RH) F3AZ-6265-A F1AZ-6A340-A F1AZ-6278-A
F8AZ-6256-BA (LH)

* 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 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).

COMP Cams®

3406 Democrat Rd.

Memphis, TN 38118

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

www.compcams.com

Part # COMP4-103

Revised 7/10/06