1.7.2 Camshaft and Bearings
DETROIT DIESEL 53
Figure 3. Removing End Bearing
replacing, remove the shafts from the engine in the
following manner:
NOTE: Refer to Shop Notes in Section 1.0 to install a cup plug in the front
end of the camshaft.
1. Drain the engine cooling system.
2. Remove all accessories and assemblies with their attaching parts as necessary to permit the engine to be
mounted on an overhaul stand. Procedures for removing accessories and assemblies from the engine will be
found in their respective sections of this manual.
3. Mount the engine on an overhaul stand. Be sure the engine is securely mounted on the stand before
releasing the lifting sling.
4. Remove the cylinder head(s). Refer to Section 1.2.
5. Remove the flywheel and the flywheel housing as outlined in Sections 1.4 and 1.5.
6. Remove the bolts which secure the gear nut retainer plates (if used) to the gears, then remove the retainer
plates.
7. Wedge a clean rag between the gears as shown in Fig. I; then, remove the nuts from each end of both
shafts with a socket wrench.
8. Remove the balance weights from the front end of the shafts as outlined in Section 1.7.
9. Remove the upper engine front cover (Section 1.7.8).
10. Remove the oil slinger from the front end of both shafts.
11. Remove the two retaining bolts that secure the camshaft or balance shaft thrust washer to the cylinder
block by inserting a socket wrench through a hole in the web of the gear as shown in Fig. 2.
12. Withdraw the shaft, thrust washer and gear as an assembly from the rear end of the cylinder block.
Disassemble Camshaft or Balance Shaft
1. Remove the gear from the shaft. Refer to Section 1.7.3.
2. Remove the end plugs from the camshaft, to facilitate the removal of any foreign material lodged behind
the plugs, as follows:
a. Clamp the camshaft in a vise equipped with soft jaws, being careful not to damage the cam lobes or
machined surfaces of the shaft.
b. Make an indentation in the center of the camshaft end plug with a 31/64 " drill (carboloy tip).
c. Punch a hole as deeply as possible with a center punch to aid in breaking through the hardened
surface of the plug.
d. Then, drill a hole straight through the center of the plug with a 1/4 " drill (carboloy tip).
e. Use the 1/4 " drilled hole as a guide and redrill the plug with a 5/16 " drill (carboloy tip).
f. Tap the drilled hole with a 3/8 "-16 tap.
g. Thread a 3/8 "-16 adaptor J 8183 into the plug. Then, attach a slide hammer J 6471-1 to the adaptor
and remove the plug by striking the weight against the handle.
h. Insert a length of 3/8 " steel rod in the camshaft oil gallery and drive the remaining plug out.
Page 2
