1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO check engine

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 434

Fig. 4: Timing gear alignment - 2.5L
The 4-cylinder engine uses a gear driven camshaft. To remove the timing gear,
refer to the camshaft removal section. The camshaft must be removed from the
engine so that the timing gear ma y be pressed from the shaft.
WARNING - The thrust plate must be posit ioned so that the woodruff key in the
shaft does not damage it when the shaft is pressed out of the gear. Properly
support the hub of the gear or the gear will be seriously damaged. The
crankshaft gear may be removed with a gear puller while in place in the block.
CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1. Remove the front cover and timing chain.
2. To remove the crankshaft sprocket, it may be necessary to remove the
radiator to gain su fficient clearance.
3. Using a puller, remove the crankshaft sprocket.
4. To install, pay attention to the position of the woodruff key. Slide the
sprocket onto the crankshaft.
5. To complete the installation, reverse the removal procedures.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 438


Fig. 7: Oil pump drive found on 2.5L engine

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 439

Fig. 8: A common oil pump drive found on V6 engines

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 440

Fig. 9: A common oil pump drive location on V8 engines
4-CYLINDER ENGINES
There are two ways to go about this task: either remove the engine from the
car, or remove the radiator, grill and any other supports which are directly in
front of the engine. If the second altern ative is chosen, you may have to
disconnect the motor mounts, and raise t he front of the engine. This will give
you the necessary clearance to remove the camshaft from the engine.
1. Drain the engine oil an d the cooling system. Remove the radiator.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 441
2. Remove the fan, driv
e belts and water pump pul ley. Remove the valve
cover. Loosen the rocker arms and pivot them, then remove the
pushrods.
3. Remove the oil pump driveshaft and gear assembly. This is located
under a small plate secured by two bol ts near the oil filter. Remove the
spark plugs.
4. Mark the position of the distribut or rotor, housing, and engine block.
Remove the distributor.
5. Remove the valve lifters. They are located behind the pushrod cover.
6. Remove the timing gear cover.
7. Insert a screwdriver through the holes in the ti ming gear and remove the
2 camshaft thrust plate screws.
8. Pull the camshaft and gear assembly out through the front of the engine
block.
When removing the camshaft, be careful not to damage the camshaft bearings.
9. If the camshaft is to be removed from the timing gear, place the assembly in an arbor press and s eparate. CAUTION When removing the
timing gear from the camshaft, the thrust plate must be positioned so that
the woodruff key does not damage it.
To install: 10. To install the timing gear to the camshaft, press the assembly together
and measure the end clearance. T here should be 0.0015-0.0050 in.
(0.038-0.127mm) between the thrust plate and the camshaft.
If the clearance is less than 0.0015 in. (0 .038mm), replace the spacer ring; if
more than 0.0050 in. (0.127mm), replace the thrust ring.
11. Lubricate the camshaft, bearings, and lifters. Slide the camshaft
assembly into the engine and align the timing marks of the camshaft gear
and crankshaft gear.
12. Complete the installation by reversing the removal procedure.
V6 AND V8 ENGINES 1. Remove the engine from the vehicl e or remove all components from the
front of the engine (radi ator, grille, etc.).
2. Remove the timing gear cover and chain.
3. Mark the distributor rotor, housi ng and engine block, then remove the
distributor. Remove the fuel pump and fuel pump pushrod on carbureted
engines.
4. Remove the intake manifold and valve covers. Loosen the rocker arms
and pivot out of way. Remove the pushrods and valve lifters.
5. Remove the oil pump drive.
6. Slide the camshaft toward the front of the engine (be careful not to
damage the camshaft bearings).

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 442
To install:
7. Lubricate all parts. Slide the ca mshaft onto the camshaft bearings.
8. Install the fuel pump and fuel pump pushrod.
9. Install the distributor and align all matchmarks.
10. Install the oil pump drive.
11. Install the valve lifters, pushrods and rocker arms.
12. Install the intake manifold and valve covers.
13. Install the timing and timing chain cover.
14. Install the radiator.
15. Fill the cooling syst em, start the engine and check for leaks.
BEARING
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
It is recommended for a machine shop to perform these procedures.
To remove the camshaft bearings, the ca mshaft lifters, flywheel, rear camshaft
expansion plug, and cranks haft must be removed.
Camshaft bearings can be replaced wi th engine completely or partially
disassembled. To replace bearings without complete disassembly remove the
camshaft and crankshaft leaving cylinder heads attached and pistons in place.
Before removing crankshaft, tape threads of connecting rod bolts to prevent
damage to crankshaft. Fasten connecting rods against sides of engine so they
will not be in the way while replacing camshaft bearings.
If excessive wear is indicated, or if the engine is being completely rebuilt,
camshaft bearings should be replaced as follows: Drive the camshaft rear plug
from the block. Assemble the removal puller with its shoulder on the bearing to
be removed. Gradually tighten the puller nut until bearing is removed. Remove
remaining bearings, leaving the front and rear for last. To remove front and rear
bearings, reverse position of the tool, so as to pull the bearings in toward the
center of the block. Leave the tool in th is position, pilot the new front and rear
bearings on the installer, and pull them into position as follows:
• 4 cylinder engines: Ensure oil holes are properly aligned.
• V6 engines: Ensure the rear and intermediate bearing oil holes are
aligned between the 2 and 3 o'clock po sitions and the front bearing oil
holes are at 1:00 and between 2 and 3 o'clock positions.
• V8 engines: Ensure the No. 1 (f ront) camshaft bearing holes are an
equal distance from the 6 o'clock pos ition. The No. 2 through 4 inner
bearing holes must be posit ioned at the 5 o'clock position towards the left
side (drivers) of the engine, even wit h the bottom of the cylinder bore.
The No. 5 bearing oil holes must be positioned at 12 o'clock.
Return the tool to its original position and pull remaining bearings into position.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 443
Ensure that oil holes are properly al
igned. Replace camshaft rear plug, and
stake it into position to aid retention.
INSPECTION
CAMSHAFT LOBE LIFT
Check the lift of each lobe in consecutiv e order and make a note of the reading.
1. Remove the fresh air inlet tube a nd the air cleaner. Remove the heater
hose and crankcase ventilation hoses. Remove valve rocker arm
cover(s).
2. Remove the rocker arm stud nut or fulcrum bolts, fulcrum seat and rocker
arm.
3. Make sure the pushrod is in the valve tappet socket. Install a dial indicator so that the actuating poin t of the indicator is in the pushrod
socket (or the indicator ball socket adapter tool is on the end of the
pushrod) and in the same plane as the pushrod movement.
4. Disable the ignition and fuel systems.
5. Install a remote starter switch. Crank the engine with the ignition and fuel
system disabled. Turn the crankshaft ov er until the tappet is on the base
circle of the camshaft lobe. At this position, the pushrod will be in its
lowest position.
6. Zero the dial indicator. Continue to rotate the crankshaft slowly until the
pushrod is in the fully raised position.
7. Compare the total lift recorded on the dial indicator with the specification
shown on the Camshaft Specification chart.
To check the accuracy of the original in dicator reading, continue to rotate the
crankshaft until the indicator reads zero. If the lift on any lobe is below specified
wear limits listed, the ca mshaft and the valve tappet operating on the worn
lobe(s) must be replaced.
8. Install the rocker arm, fulcrum seat and stud nut or fulcrum bolts. Adjust
the valves, if required (r efer to the valves procedure in this section).
9. Install the valve rocker arm cover(s) and the air cleaner.
CAMSHAFT END PLAY
On all gasoline V8 engi nes, prying against the aluminum-nylon camshaft
sprocket, with the valve train load on t he camshaft, can break or damage the
sprocket. Therefore, the rocker arm adj usting nuts must be backed off, or the
rocker arm and shaft assembly must be loosened sufficiently to free the
camshaft. After checking the camshaft e nd play, check the valve clearance.
Adjust if required (refer to procedure in this section).
1. Push the camshaft toward the rear of the engine. Install a dial indicator or
equivalent so that the indicator point is on the camshaft sprocket
attaching screw.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 447

Fig. 6: This is a roller-type lifter - V8 engines