Guest FrantiC Report post Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) How do you rotate the shafts when they are in the head and the head is in the car bolted to the block..? I have tried vice grips and what not but can't get them to budge.. Do I need to back off the head studs maybe? Edited August 31, 2009 by FrantiC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OLLIE 26 Report post Posted August 31, 2009 they are locked in place at the front of the head with a locking plate. Try removing this first #6 below Valve Timing Gear — Cam Shaft - BMW parts catalog Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c.robertson00 11 Report post Posted August 31, 2009 I think if you look at the back of the head there is a keyway type of plate that stops the roker shaft moving foward and back. If you pull that out it should allow them to rotate around aswell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrantiC Report post Posted August 31, 2009 Thing is the useless guys at the workshop that skimmed my head (and pulled the rocker shafts out to allow the valves to stay closed) missed that #6 plate when they reassembled.. So I ran my motor and the shafts both spun. The intake side spun a good 90 degrees and popped all the retainer clips off the rocker shaft... The exhaust one is also spun but not as much. So I need to rotate them back around, the shop wouldn't do it for me they just gave me another plate and said "it's an easy fix". I will try removing the bungs on the end of the shafts then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OLLIE 26 Report post Posted August 31, 2009 monkeys Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted August 31, 2009 You might have a problem though, the shaft will be tensioned by the valves that are opened and may not move easily. I suggest you back off all the accentrics to unload the shaft as much as you can before trying to turn it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hartage 0 Report post Posted August 31, 2009 From past experience i found that the shafts are also "pinched" by the head studs. I had to release the torque on the studs to move the shaft, this runs the risk of head gasket leaking afterwards. I got away with this, but only released the studs till i could move the shaft, and retorqued to standard plus 10 foot pounds more to be safe. Not recomended, but did same lots of dollars and time to fix a broken rocker in my case. Hope this helps! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrantiC Report post Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) Got it guys. Backed off the head studs, and turned ovr the motor again to move the rockers off the valves and it freed it up. Now I just need to figure out the exhaust side, Guess I need to unclip them and do the same rotate around.. I have a MLS headgasket anyways, it is recommended to do a re-torque after the first run when cold anyways so guess I am killing 2 birds with 1 stone. Cheers for the help guys, much appreciated Edited August 31, 2009 by FrantiC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30 325i Rag-Top 2957 Report post Posted August 31, 2009 If anyone in a shop, garage, etc. says to me "it's any easy fix" my reply is usually along the lines of "it won't take you long to sort it out then will it?" with a few choice expletives if necessary. Nothing like customer service... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c.robertson00 11 Report post Posted August 31, 2009 Where abouts did you get the head work done? Suvic? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtydoogle 383 Report post Posted August 31, 2009 Good that you got it sorted, but, the monkey who assembled the head incorrectly is responsible and should have rectified the problem for you. I'm [supposed] to be a tradesman in the mechanic/panel beating fields and any mistakes I make I fix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrantiC Report post Posted August 31, 2009 Nope Quality Auto's .. Down behind Mitre 10 mega. Usually they are top notch.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites