I can't seem to pull the cam out of the block. I took out the retainer bolts. The cam rotates freely. Factory service manual doesn't give me any advice. What am I missing?
I am ***uming you have all the lifters either raised or removed.........also the 'intermediate gear' at the back that drives the oil pump and distributor. If so, then what is most likely holding you up is carbon buildup on the cam journals, either side of the cam bearing shells. The carbon buildup is larger in diameter than the bearings and resists moving through them. If you are planning to replace the cam bearings as part of a rebuild, try prying against the cam from above or below, midway along the cam, while rotating it at the front. Worked for me. Ray
Unfamiliar with the hemi but sometimes guys forget the fuel pump and wonder why the cam wont come out.
Kinda harsh... I agree with Gary... Try to carefully pull the cam straight out while supporting, if possible. Sometimes you can get lucky and a grinder/hammer drill handle will have the same thread and you can simly use that to get a good grip on it while supporting it. A puller or slide hammer would be best though. In this case, an intermediate drive shaft is used with the mating gear on it. It drives the distributor and oil pump simultaniously. And yes, it would be helpful to remove if not removed.
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