What does your CC 68-231-4 look like? Seriously. (aka FML)

[Brandon_K]

So finally, again all of the parts arrive. Jegs had the MP springs and retainers and even price matched a few other sites. They're only in Ohio so I had them in 2 days, which I was expecting. I had a hell of a time finding the 8 degree / 8mm locks, but I found them. Chicagoconnection.com had them in stock (FANTASTIC service!), so $30 for the locks and $40 for overnight shipping later, it all shows up this morning.

Get the pistons in after notching the Clevite rod bearings, the pistons go in, the crank has been in for a while at this point. While I'm assembling the head, my buddy Dave and another friend slide the cam in. I get the head done, bolt on the oil pump, drop in the lifters and finally torque on the head. Everyone had left at this point and I took a few beer breaks. Time to get back to work. I still don't have the push rods in, nor the rockers but I figure I'll throw the timing set on before I finish up the valve train. As I go to install the thrust retainer, I notice that it quite obviously doesn't fit. Now mind you, it's been a while since I tore the original 4.0 down, so I'm scratching my head. I throw the stock cam back in the original block that has a hole in it and yeah, I'm not crazy, it should sit flush, actually recess a little. This is what mine looks like;

cam-side.jpg

Yup, that's a f'ing problem. The cam gear lines up perfect with the distributor, the lifters are all centered on the lobes, the journals all sit perfectly in the bearings, I'm stumped. Again, it's been a while so I'm actually confused as to what the problem in, then the lightbulb finally went off. Wow, how the hell did this pass QC? They didn't machine the front of the cam properly at all! For some reason, this cam face has a dowel hole as well as a dowel pin and it's the diameter of the journal, rather than a notch for the keyed timing gear. Mind you, I had double checked the box and the face of the cam, both are clearly stamped 68-231-4.

cam-front.jpg

(That's obviously not how it seated in, I took that pic before I pulled it all the way out)

You would think that after being sent the wrong rod bearings as well as the wrong rods, I would start checking things a little better. Uggg. This build has been a nightmare since day one!

So now I'll end up calling every parts store, 4WD Hardware, etc trying to track down a proper 68-231-4 that I can drive to pickup tomorrow so I can get the TJ back on the road.

Blah!

[dwg86]

All aftermarket performance cams are made for the amc 258. They will work in the later 4.0 block. You need a timing set for the earlier 4.0/258. JP performance and rollmaster make a nice timing set for the 258. Its a double roller with 9 keyways, and billet cam gear. You can buy them on ebay. You will also need the retaining bolt, washer, pin and spring to bolt the cam sprocket to the cam. Hesco sell the cam bolt, washer, pin and spring.

[Brandon_K]

Seriously? Wow, I feel like a tool.

Might you happen to know if Advance, Napa, etc has the other pieces required? I'd really like to forgo Hesco, I'd like to get the motor dropped in today.

How is thrust controlled on the 258 cams?

[Brandon_K]

So after searching I've found the answers to the above. I've started a new thread regarding my next question.