617 head removal

[Brian Carlton]

Well, my 617 project has turned a bit south today.

1) Despite my best efforts in carefully removing the camshaft sprocket, gravity has beat me and any components that were sitting between the camshaft sprocket and the camshaft decided to head south.

After removing the head, I searched the cave and found one of them:

It appears to be a large thrust washer. After some cursing and pleading, it finally agreed to see the light of day.

So, is there anything else that might be down there, or is the washer the only item between the sprocket and the camshaft?

2) I borrowed an engine hoist to lift the head. All bolts out. Even the two small bolts up in front.

Crane lifts up. So does front end.

You fellows failed to tell me that there are two screws hiding inside the chain gallery and you must do surgery to get them out. One mistake and you know where they are going to go. Fortunately, this does not happen.

3) Now, all bolts out, positively.

Crane lifts up. So does front end.

WTF. Well, it seems that the head got caught on the tensioning rail somehow. Never would have believed it, but, after freeing it, the head comes up without a problem. Wiring the chain above the block so it can't fall into the gallery is successful.

4) Now with the head off:

There is the idler sprocket in the head. I presume that this should be removed prior to sending the head to the machine shop (and the tank). But, I can't find any procedure in the manual and it's not obvious how the shaft comes out of the sprocket. There is a small covering screw at the end of the shaft, but it does not extend into the sprocket.

Should it be removed and, if so, what's the procedure?