Buick Grand National Cam Sensor Install

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/ venomgt87
/ venomgt87
In this video, I show you guys how to remove, install and properly set the entire cam sensor assembly. This took approximately one hour. You need to remove any parts that are on the way of the sensor just to facilitate this procedure. Once you have cleared the area, you remove the retainer bolt and then play with the body of the camshaft sensor until it spins freely, then you can begin to gently pry at the base to lift it out of the timing cover, this step requires patience as the base of the sensor is very thin and brittle. Once you have removed the sensor, you can begin to prepare the engine by finding top dead center then spinning the engine another 25 degrees ATDC (after top dead center) or 1.45 inches past TDC (top dead center), now the sensor itself has a dot on the gear and a keyway on the top of the body which both need to be facing the passenger side fender to properly mesh and drop in. Now you are ready to drop in the camshaft sensor. As you will see in the video (where I literally drop it in) these preparations make the installation of the new unit very easy and if done correctly, you will get the engine to start on the first try.
I have provided the links to the different sites I read before attempting this procedure so you yourself can do this and have an extra aid while doing your own.
gnttype.org
turbobuick.com
vortexbuicks-et...
Hope you guys enjoy!

[@mr.404atl2]

Thanks for the video Iam about to purchase a 1986 GN from a buddy of mine who said he tired of throwing parts at it and no one can set the camshaft sensor I will be purchasing a TR6 to help me figure this out and watching your videos.

[@VenomGT87]

Mr.404 Atl in the video I just used the TR6 to get a more accurate idea of where the camsensor falls in with the instructions available and It gets it really close since it can be +/- 20 degrees.

[@arizeturner9234]

evening I have questions the two holes from the heater cord how does they hook up I think I'm missing a part picture are a video appropriate keep up the good work

[@VenomGT87]

I am not sure exactly which you are referring to, but there is supposed to be molded hoses on the core side, one fitting on the intake and another molded hose on the pump.

[@randallblack9519]

Yes, I am going to install this in a Buick small block V8 and was wondering if the offset for the install would be any different.

[@VenomGT87]

I am not sure.

[@areibu]

Awesome channel! I’m having a little trouble diagnosing my engine that won’t start. It cranks, but won’t turn over. 86 Ttype. I was driving and the engine cut out on me as I was moving from a stop light. Its not fuel related, as I’m getting good pressure. Do you think a bad Cam Sensor could do this? If so, do you know a good way to test it? I saw your vid on the Crank Sensor, mines dirty as hell but looks to be in good shape.. only other thing I can think of is the ignition module..

[@VenomGT87]

If the cam sensor checks good as you crank it (with a multimeter) my money is on a bad crank sensor.

[@areibu]

​@@VenomGT87 You were right! Makes sense because my idle was a little rough before it went out. Thank you. Hopefully I get the part next week and will try to tackle it over the weekend with help from your vid

[@williammendez6654]

What’s up VenomGT87? Hope all is good. Quick question, my cam sensor is installed but the part where I screw the cap to, is able to spin 360° easily. Is that normal? Thanks for any help you can provide. I like your work bro. Nice GN. I own a 87 turbo regal.

[@VenomGT87]

It should be able to move a bit but you should feel quite a bit of resistance from the o-ring sealing against the timing cover.

[@williammendez6654]

@@VenomGT87 Thanks. Keep up the great work. 👍🏽💪🏽

[@williammendez6654]

@@VenomGT87Hello again, I finally took out the cam sensor I uploaded a video to see if you can help me diagnose it. Thanks for your help. kzbin.infoikVOtY76UjY?feature=share

[@bobbybuick]

The cam sensor you took out had the gear knife edged bad .you are going to wear the new one out also! ether you have a misaligned aftermarket cover or a billet roller and sensor is getting no oil.it is a problem or you will continue to wear those gears .i know of a fix if it is a roller cam

[@VenomGT87]

bobbybuick It looks that way but it was just the way the metal got shined by the new roller cam over the last 10k miles, that gear had 150k miles. The new cam sensor gear meshed smooth with the cam gear. I should have pointed that out in the voiceover...lol

[@andrewjohnson289]

Hell yeah brother. Awesome video.

[@arizeturner9234]

Hay This RZ from Alabama Man U very good like the video help me a lot keep up the good work

[@VenomGT87]

That is awesome, thank you! Please pass it on to any others that may find it useful!

[@thakalilife9052]

Hey does the Casper’s cam sensor cap with the light works the same as the cam sensor tool you using? Thanks

[@VenomGT87]

Yes, its like having the tool built in but you can also just use a volt meter to achieve the same result.

[@zackkonietzny7631]

@@VenomGT87 i tried this with a volt meter.. can't get it to work whatsoever

[@VenomGT87]

zack Konietzny put the prove on the ground and on the signal (not the reference) and spin it until you see the multimeter show the reference voltage. You soul be able to identify the sides of the window and as long as you have the cam/crank in the right place it will work.

[@superbrowndudenational_trx]

Awesome thanks for this video!

[@VenomGT87]

My pleasure!

[@scarletvette3296]

Does the cam sensor controller the injectors and spark?

[@VenomGT87]

Gives the signal to start the cycle so you could say yes- ish…the ECU is doing most of the guess work.

[@rolltide9547]

It is also used to determine spark advance.

[@mayhemone66]

How much to rebuild the engine?

[@VenomGT87]

Depends if you add stuff to it, but your basic rebuild assuming all parts are good to go, you are roughly looking anywhere around $3500

[@orygunchainsawmassacre6761]

How does one know when their cam sensor is failing?

[@VenomGT87]

OrygunChainsawMassacre No start condition is the most common one.

[@West87GN]

My marks are not lining up with my tdc. What would cause this ? Thanks

[@VenomGT87]

Are you setting the engine with at the 25 BTDC to drop in the sensor?

[@LSXTtype]

I Friended you on FB,

[@nickseguine393]

why the hell didn’t you take the freakin hose off?

[@VenomGT87]

Have you seen my videos? We lift engines out of the engine bay with 2x4’s 😂

[@TurboBuRick]

Very unlikely this was the cause of a random no start.

[@VenomGT87]

Confirmed with the TR6 and a couple data logs.

[@TurboBuRick]

Care to share the log and what in it tells the cam sensor is bad?

[@VenomGT87]

TurboBuRick I don’t recall if I mention it on the video, but the gear was knife edged, the play was enough to cause it to come be out of sync with the crank so when looking at the log you could see the 1 to 3 square waves missing each other randomly. So if it started, going down the road the TR6 would throw a code 13 and the car would shut off (feature in the TR6). Other times it would not start and throw a code 13. Anyway at first I offset it with the cam adjustment from the TR6 features (makes it idle better if you time the injectors earlier in the valve opening) but eventually there was so much play the rpm LED (that display the adjustment) would be all over the place). At first from reading in the forums I thought it was a crank sensor.