Shimming Cam Caps

[TriniGT]

Okay so I am in a predicament, mostly due to my own fault. I bought a Neo Head, and have work done on it to adapt the RB26DETT Intake manifold and ITB setup to it and the problem now is that I did not get the cams nor caps for the head. I have since got a set off another Neo head in an effort to get it running but on torqueing the caps the cams won't budge. I have since spun around the caps and have got 5 of the intake and 5 of the exhaust caps to be able to torque properly without any cam binding but the front two caps in any orientation locks the cam on tightening. Has anyone heard of shimming cam caps, meaning adding a thin sheet of metal in between the caps and the cam head jouneal to give the cap enough clearance when torqued? I know a lot of people will just say ditch the head and start over but I have spent a bit on the conversion and getting someone locally to do a tunnel bore on the camshaft tunnel is a no go as the machinery is not even available. I went to a local that advised me that the Jaguar head is very similar and they have done the same on the head with no problems. He told me to get a feeler gauge and drill a hole through some of the smaller sizes and use them to get the proper clearance with the caps torqued down, he suggested that once I got a proper measurement to give it a thou extra clearance and then trim them and torque down the caps. Yeah it sounds dodgy but at the same time it may do the trick, your thoughts.

[blind_elk]

Are you sure the head is flat?

[Duncan]

I have always had them tunnel bored. You said its not available locally, can't you just ship where required? Only way I know to be sure the clearances are right

[Don Dada]

Okay so I am in a predicament, mostly due to my own fault. I bought a Neo Head, and have work done on it to adapt the RB26DETT Intake manifold and ITB setup to it and the problem now is that I did not get the cams nor caps for the head. I have since got a set off another Neo head in an effort to get it running but on torqueing the caps the cams won't budge. I have since spun around the caps and have got 5 of the intake and 5 of the exhaust caps to be able to torque properly without any cam binding but the front two caps in any orientation locks the cam on tightening. Has anyone heard of shimming cam caps, meaning adding a thin sheet of metal in between the caps and the cam head jouneal to give the cap enough clearance when torqued? I know a lot of people will just say ditch the head and start over but I have spent a bit on the conversion and getting someone locally to do a tunnel bore on the camshaft tunnel is a no go as the machinery is not even available. I went to a local that advised me that the Jaguar head is very similar and they have done the same on the head with no problems. He told me to get a feeler gauge and drill a hole through some of the smaller sizes and use them to get the proper clearance with the caps torqued down, he suggested that once I got a proper measurement to give it a thou extra clearance and then trim them and torque down the caps. Yeah it sounds dodgy but at the same time it may do the trick, your thoughts.

I feel ur pain!!!

Are u sure no one does that type or boring here???.... U should check in the "oil"

[bradsm87]

Def get them bored. If I can get in done locally in Hobart, there's no reason why U can't get it done wherever u are.

[TriniGT]

Well I am in Trinidad, one of those islands in the Caribbean. Still looking around locally for options, will see how it goes.

[bradsm87]

Oh sorry man. I made the Australia assumption again