As I have reported before, my l/h exhaust camshaft broke. Can anyone tell me if a 1997 head is the same as a 1998 Vin# 021730 Can I replace it with a 1997, I know that they changed stuff in 1999. I bought a rebuilt head but the valve clearance are out of tolerance and has to be returned. I am looking at a min. of two weeks turn around time and I have a chance of getting a used one and rebuilding it locally, but It's 97, hence my question. Thanks for all the help I have received so far, It's been a huge help and I can't thank all of you enough.

 

The heads should be the same.

Any information on why/how the camshaft broke? Chain broken or jumped?

 

The Parts Catalogue is a valuable tool for answering this type of question.


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The change point is VIN 031302 which indicates your '97 locally sourced head is the same.

Graham

 

Thank you both for your help. I have no proof of reason for the cam breaking. I had recently had the secondary tensioners up- graded. Now did they install incorrectly or stressed it someway as to cause a stress crack, I have no proof. It ran fine for a couple of hundred miles and with no warning broke, bending valve etc. couple of minor marks on the piston, pretty thin valves so they bend out of the way easily. Thanks again guys.

 

If the mechanic used the zip tie method and removed the cam improperly that could have cracked it. There have been at least a couple reports of that problem.

The cam position should be turned to put minimum spring pressure on it and then the bolts carefully removed a little at a time on each bolt in turn. The cam is hollow and super hardened and inflexible which makes it very susceptible to cracks or breakage.

 

+1 on that, but as you say you are never going to know for sure.