A while ago I posted a topic asking why I couldn't get the cam out of my 1.6 CVH from a late Sierra.

http://locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=41889

Thanks to Broadside Motorsport, clanger, britishtrident and DIY Si (in posting order only) I now understand why I couldn;t get it out, and how to get it out.

I didn't remove the plug to get it out because I didn't need to. I have bought a mildly tuned CVH instead (thanks Jed).

I am trying to put my original engine back together now, and cobble something together out of the two when the time is right.

How the bloody hell do I put the camshaft back in? I withdrew it as far as I could through the cambelt end, am I am now trying to put in back in.

It will go to about 3-4mm from the position I can fit the retaining plate, but no further. It' a solid stop.

Help.

are all the rockers/fuel pimp and pimp push rod/dizzy removed?
if so there is nowt stopping it unless its oil crud

Hydraulic tappets removed. No dizzy, there is a blanking plug covering it. Engine had an electric pump.

Definately up against something - cant think what though.

Is the rear end central to it's bearing? Could be hitting this and stopping? Got any pics of either end?

I havent removed the blanking plug, although after you posted (DIY Si) I can see the rubber bung.

The pictures are pretty much as in the the tread at the top of this page.

Its only 3 or 4mm, but it is a hard stop. It must be concentric otherwise it wouldn't have got that far.

I was hoping to leave the blank plug in place, I dont want to strip out any more bits.

How much futher in does the cam go compared with the front pic? Unless you've dropped something in there the only thing I can think of is it hitting a bearing or a brigde inside the cam housing.

Cant stop the camera focusing on the top of the head, but you can make out the thrust plate wont fit in by a few mm.

If I pull out the blanking plug, I am sure I will see the problem. It 'sounds' like its stopping at the flywheel end. Will the blank plug be destroyed if I remove it (carefully)?
Rescued attachment P4190141a.jpg

If you're very, very careful you may be able to knock the plug straight in until it clears and can then be turned sideways and removed. If you do break it, any core plug type thing of a suitable size would replace it, or put a plate over the cam hole and bolt in it place.