N54 Cam Ledge Alignment

datpiff · 07-14-2017, 12:54 PM

Is there any way around buying the tool for $500 to align the upper and lower cam ledges?
I can get the cams compressed but I can't seem to do the ledges because of how accurate they must be.
I already have the timing kit so that's not a problem.

This is where I would be buying the part from, and it doesn't even have the n54 compatible ledge alignments:
http://www.handsontools.com/search_r...k=bmw+cam+tool

If anyone has this tool and can rent it out to me I would really appreciate it. Just want to finish this build already so I can start braking it in for a ST.

Below are pics of what tool I'm talking about and what I'm trying to do:

datpiff · 07-17-2017, 12:47 AM

ttt

juld0zer · 07-17-2017, 06:01 AM

Make friends with the local dealer techs

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 07-17-2017, 09:38 AM

Rent the tool from one of the multiple places that rent these online.

datpiff · 07-17-2017, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Rent the tool from one of the multiple places that rent these online.

Would you be able to give me a link? I can't seem to find a place.

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 07-17-2017, 12:32 PM

Google search "BMW tool rental" and you'll find a few right off the bat.

datpiff · 07-17-2017, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris@VargasTurboTech

Google search "BMW tool rental" and you'll find a few right off the bat.

Nobody has this tool online lol, all timing nothing for aligning the cam ledges.

mxchris727 · 07-17-2017, 04:27 PM

Can you use a C-clamp?

badblackcoupe · 07-17-2017, 10:39 PM

It doesnt do anything but put it the top and bottom half in perfect alignment. The c clamp isnt a pretty or "proper" way to do it but why wouldnt it work?

Supra2k6 · 07-20-2017, 10:38 PM

i did this job on my first n54 and only needed the alightment tool u already rented.

bmw130i · 07-21-2018, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badblackcoupe

It doesnt do anything but put it the top and bottom half in perfect alignment. The c clamp isnt a pretty or "proper" way to do it but why wouldnt it work?

How stupid!!! The two halves have been machined inside to a perfect circle so that adequate oil clearance for a camshaft long life exists. When you assemble the two halves with this tool you maintain this clearance. When you don't use the toll the alignment of the two halves is gone, the perfect circle now has two ridges at 180 deg from each other that are eating into the clearance and are now wiping the oil of the surface of the camshaft bearing ... a short life for the engine is now assured...

Dude... BWM factory's are not there to make things pretty but to make them "proper" so that your engine lasts a long long time! I do agree that BMW engineering screwed up the N54 with its steel rectarings eating in the aluminium bearing surfaces yet by not using the half-bearing alignment toll during installation of a new bearing is just taking stupidity to another level!

TheMidnightNarwhal · 12-29-2021, 03:30 PM

Bump anyone else did this job without the cam bearing ledge tray tool? Only thing holding me back from doing it.

pysical · 12-30-2021, 10:36 PM

The only tool I used was my finger nail to figure out if it was lined up.

dpaul · 12-31-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Bump anyone else did this job without the cam bearing ledge tray tool? Only thing holding me back from doing it.

Absolutely. I've done it without the tool - no problems many thousands of miles later

TheMidnightNarwhal · 05-26-2022, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpaul

Absolutely. I've done it without the tool - no problems many thousands of miles later

Quote:

Originally Posted by pysical

The only tool I used was my finger nail to figure out if it was lined up.

Were your alignements 100% perfect? Doing the job right now and can def feel with my nail when running up and down that it's not perfect. Tried aligning it but nothing seems to help any tricks?

TSilver335i · 05-26-2022, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Were your alignements 100% perfect? Doing the job right now and can def feel with my nail when running up and down that it's not perfect. Tried aligning it but nothing seems to help any tricks?

I haven't done this myself. Some good info in this vid https://youtu.be/Y8tUIiiza1A?t=1923

TheMidnightNarwhal · 05-26-2022, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSilver335i

I haven't done this myself. Some good info in this vid https://youtu.be/Y8tUIiiza1A?t=1923

Thanks I've watched that as well. He does talk about aligning it and he says it's dead perfect as the job is done but he just passes his finger over.

Feels ok passing finger like in video but fingernail definitely catches it.

EDIT: I ended up borrowing the tool from a member. The alignement is pretty much perfect now. I can hardly catch anything with my fingernail. Personally wouldn't do this job again without the C clamp type special tools. I did not use the valve press down tools.

dpaul · 05-27-2022, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Were your alignements 100% perfect? Doing the job right now and can def feel with my nail when running up and down that it's not perfect. Tried aligning it but nothing seems to help any tricks?

Couldn't tell you if they were 100% perfect. But as I mentioned, that was ithousands of tuned miles ago and I've had no problems.

Maxmil982 · 05-29-2022, 02:34 AM

C clamp worked for me

07-14-2017, 12:54 PM	#1
datpiff Private First Class 20 Rep 130 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	N54 Cam Ledge Alignment Is there any way around buying the tool for $500 to align the upper and lower cam ledges? I can get the cams compressed but I can't seem to do the ledges because of how accurate they must be. I already have the timing kit so that's not a problem. This is where I would be buying the part from, and it doesn't even have the n54 compatible ledge alignments: http://www.handsontools.com/search_r...k=bmw+cam+tool If anyone has this tool and can rent it out to me I would really appreciate it. Just want to finish this build already so I can start braking it in for a ST. Below are pics of what tool I'm talking about and what I'm trying to do:
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07-17-2017, 12:47 AM	#2
datpiff Private First Class 20 Rep 130 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	ttt
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07-17-2017, 06:01 AM	#3
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	Make friends with the local dealer techs
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07-17-2017, 09:38 AM	#4
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Rent the tool from one of the multiple places that rent these online.
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07-17-2017, 12:32 PM	#6
Chris@VargasTurboTech Lieutenant Colonel 1932 Rep 1,532 Posts Drives: All Things TurboCharged Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Google search "BMW tool rental" and you'll find a few right off the bat.
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07-17-2017, 04:27 PM	#8
mxchris727 Captain 193 Rep 666 Posts Drives: '03 M5, '06 325i, '12 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Westport, CT iTrader: (0)	Can you use a C-clamp? __________________ BMW GT1 (INPA, DIS, WinKFP, ect..), ISTA/P & /D is up and running! PM me if you want to stop by and code your car.
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07-17-2017, 10:39 PM	#9
badblackcoupe Enlisted Member 28 Rep 48 Posts Drives: Black 335i e92 2007 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: pasadena, tx iTrader: (0)	It doesnt do anything but put it the top and bottom half in perfect alignment. The c clamp isnt a pretty or "proper" way to do it but why wouldnt it work?
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07-20-2017, 10:38 PM	#10
Supra2k6 Lieutenant 132 Rep 573 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: The District iTrader: (1)	i did this job on my first n54 and only needed the alightment tool u already rented.
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12-29-2021, 03:30 PM	#12
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2655 Rep 6,286 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Bump anyone else did this job without the cam bearing ledge tray tool? Only thing holding me back from doing it.
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12-30-2021, 10:36 PM	#13
pysical Captain 127 Rep 712 Posts Drives: 2009 335xi Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Laurel MD iTrader: (1)	The only tool I used was my finger nail to figure out if it was lined up.
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05-29-2022, 02:34 AM	#19
Maxmil982 Private 21 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2010 e60 535i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Atlanta Georgia iTrader: (0)	C clamp worked for me
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