GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 409
When servicing the engine, be absolutely sure to mark vacuum hoses and
wiring so that these items
may be properly reconnected during installation. Also,
when disconnecting fittings of metal lines (fuel, power brake vacuum), always
use two flare nut (or line) wrenches. Ho ld the wrench on the large fitting with
pressure on the wrench as if you were tightening the fitting (clockwise), THEN
loosen and disconnect the smaller fitting fr om the larger fitting. If this is not
done, damage to the line will result.
CAUTION - When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are
attracted by the ethylene gl ycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that
is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove
fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drai n the coolant into a sealable container.
Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or several years old.
2.5L ENGINE
Fig. 1: Cylinder head bolt torque sequence for 2.5L engine
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the engine block and radiator of coolant.
3. Raise and safely support the vehi cle. Remove the exhaust pipe and
lower the vehicle.
4. Remove the oil level indicator tube.
5. Remove the air cleaner.
6. Unplug the electrical and vac uum connections and disconnect the
linkage from the TBI unit.
7. Disconnect the fuel lines.
8. Remove the EGR valve.
9. Disconnect the heater hoses from the intake manifold.
10. Remove the ignition coil.
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 428
1. Disconnect the battery ground c
able. Drain the cooling system.
2. Remove the fan shroud or the upper radiator support and drive belts.
Remove the fan and pulley from the water pump.
3. Remove the alternator upper and lower brackets, air brace with brackets,
and power steering lower bra cket (move it aside).
4. Remove the radiator lower hose and the heater hose from the water
pump. Remove the water pump bolts and the water pump.
5. If A/C equipped, remove the comp ressor and move aside. Remove the
compressor mounting bracket.
6. Remove the damper pulley retain ing bolt and the damper pulley.
7. Remove the timing gear cover bolts and the timing gear cover.
With the timing gear cover removed, use a large screwdriver to pry the oil seal
from the cover. To install the new oil se al, lubricate it with engine oil and drive it
into place.
To install: 8. Prepare the mating surfaces for reinst allation of the timing gear cover.
Coat the new gasket with RTV sealer.
9. Install the timing gear cover and timing gear cover bolts. Torque the
cover bolts to specifications:
• V6 engines (M8 x 1.25 bolts): 13-22 ft. lbs. (18-30 Nm)
• V6 engines (M10 x 1.5 bolts): 20-35 ft. lbs. (27-48 Nm)
• V8 engines (all bolts): 69-130 inch lbs. (8-14 Nm)
10. Install the damper pulley by pulli ng the damper onto the crankshaft. Use
tool J-23523 or equivalent. Install t he damper pulley retaining bolt and
torque bolts to 67-85 ft lbs. (90-110 Nm).
11. If A/C equipped, install the compressor mounting bracket and
compressor.
12. Install the water pump and the water pump bolts.
13. Install the radiator lower hose and the heater hose to the water pump.
14. Install the alternator upper and lower brackets, air brace with brackets
and the power steering lower bracket.
15. Install the fan and pull ey to the water pump. Inst all the fan shroud or the
upper radiator support and drive belts and adjust.
16. Connect the battery ground cable.
17. Fill the cooling syst em, start the engine and check for leaks.
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) 501
Fig. 5: Use a ball type cylinder hone to remove any glaze and provide a new
surface for seating the piston rings
PISTONS AND CONNECTING RODS
Only pistons with the wrist pin retained by C-clips are serviceable by the home-
mechanic. Press fit pistons require special presses and/or heaters to
remove/install the connecting rod and sh ould only be performed by a machine
shop.
All pistons will have a mark indicating the direction to the front of the engine and
the must be installed into the engine in that manner. Usually it is a notch or
arrow on the top of the piston, or it ma y be the letter F cast or stamped into the
piston.
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 570
Switch (TVS). The electrical type, cons
ists of a ceramic grid located under the
base of the carburetor.
A check of the operation should be made at regular maintenance intervals.
TESTING
VACUUM SERVO TYPE 1. With the engine cold, observe the posit ion of the actuator arm. Start the
engine. The arm should move toward the diaphragm (closing the valve).
2. If the arm does not move, remove the hose and check for vacuum. If still
no vacuum, remove the top hose from the TVS switch and check for
vacuum.
3. If vacuum is present in the top hose, replace the TVS switch.
4. If vacuum is present at the actuator and it does not move, try to free the
valve. If the valve cannot be freed, it must be replaced.
ELECTRICAL TYPE 1. Turn the ignition ON with the engine co ld and probe both terminals of the
heater switch connector with a test light.
• If 1 wire has power, replace the heater switch.
• If neither wire has power, repai r the ignition circuit.
• If both wires have power, probe the pink wire at the heater
connector (if no power, repair the c onnector of the heater switch).
2. If power exists at the pink wire , disconnect the heater connector and
connect a tester across the harness terminal. If no power, repair the
ground wire; if power exists, check the resistance of the heater.
3. If heater is over 3 ohm s, replace the heater. If under 3 ohms, replace the
connector, start the engine (operate to normal temperature) and probe
the pink wire. If no power, the system is OK; if power exists, replace the
heater switch.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
VACUUM SERVO TYPE 1. Disconnect the vacuum hose at the EFE.
2. Remove exhaust pipe to manifold nuts.
3. Remove the crossover pipe. Complete removal is not always necessary.
4. Remove the EFE valve.
To install: 5. Position the EFE valve into place.
6. Install the crossover pipe.
7. Install the exhaust pi pe to manifold nuts.
8. Connect the vacuum hose at the EFE.
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 571
Fig. 1: Exploded view of a vacuum servo EFE valve assembly
ELECTRICAL TYPE 1. Remove the air cleaner and disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Tag, then disengage all electrical, vacuum and fuel connections from the
carburetor.
3. Disconnect the EFE heat er electrical lead.
4. Remove the carburetor.
5. Lift off the EFE heater grid.
To install: 6. Position the EFE heater grid onto the manifold.
7. Install the carburetor.
8. Connect the EFE heater electrical lead.
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 572
9. Connect all electrical, vacuum and f
uel connection to the carburetor.
10. Install the air cleaner and connec t the negative battery cable.
Fig. 2: Electric EFE heater assembly
ELECTRIC EFE RELAY 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the retaining bracket.
3. Tag and disconnect all el ectrical connections.
4. Unscrew the retaining bolts and remove the relay.
To install: 5. Position the relay into place and secu re the relay with the retaining bolt.
6. Attach all electrical connections.
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 655
2. Clean off the marks and coat them wit
h white paint or chalk, if necessary,
so that they may be seen.
3. Run the engine until it reaches no rmal operating temperature, then shut
off the engine.
4. With the ignition OFF, connect a ta chometer to the distributor, and a
timing light with an inductive pickup lead to the No. 1 spark plug wire.
WARNING - Never pierce a secondary ignition wire in order to connect a timing
light. A pierced wire may lead to engine misfiring and driveability problems.
5. To properly set the ignition timing , the EST must be placed in the bypass
mode. a. On the 2.5L engine, refer to t he emission control label for the
procedure.
If the label is missing or unreadable, c ontact your Chevrolet dealer for a
replacement.
b. On 2.8L and 5.0L ca rbureted engines, disconnect the 4-wire EST
connector at the distributor. (Fault code 42 may be set in ECM memory,
and must be cleared once the procedur e is completed). Proceed to Step
7.
c. On 2.8L, 5.0L and 5.7L fuel inje cted engines, with the engine RUNNING
and all accessories off, use a jumper wire to connect diagnostic terminal
B and ground terminal A of the 12-terminal Assembly Line Diagnostic
Link (ALDL) usually located under t he left side of the instrument panel.
DO NOT disconnect the 4-wir e EST connector at the distributor. Aim the
timing light at the timing mark; the li ne on the balancer or pulley will line
up with the timing mark. Increase engine speed and check for timing
advance. If the timing still advances with engine speed, perform Step 6. If
timing does not advance with engi ne speed, proceed to Step 7.
If timing advances with engine speed, it will be necessary to disconnect the
single-wire Set Timing connector. (Faul t code 42 may be set in ECM memory,
and must be cleared once the procedure is completed).
6. Remove the jumper wire from t he ALDL, and shut off the ignition.
Disconnect the Set Timing connector, usually located under the plastic
cover above the heater unit, in the engi ne compartment. (The wire in this
connector is normally Tan/Black.)
7. With the engine running and all accessories off, aim the light at the timing
mark. The line on the balancer or pulle y will line up with the timing mark.
If a change in timing is necessary, loosen the hold-down clamp bolt at
the base of the distributor . While observing the timing mark, rotate the
distributor slightly unt il the line indicates the correct timing. Use the
timing specification on the emi ssion control label in the engine
compartment. If this label is missi ng or damaged, refer to the Tune-Up
Specifications chart in this Section.