Thread: Cam Oil Rail Copper Washers

What size are the copper washers for the oil rails that go over the cams?

I rebuilt an SR20DE for my car and just realized that I didn't put the copper washers on when I installed the rails.

Also, since the bolt is all the way on the back, would I be safe just removing that bolt, sliding the washer in and replacing the bolt, or do I need to completely remove the cams and reset the timing?

Thanks

Did you replace or at least check the cam spray bars to check for clogging? Would be a shame to have it all together and have a problem with the spray bars being clogged after the rebuild.

No, I haven't. I suppose I might as well pull it apart and do that. Won't take long. I could go ahead and make sure my lifters are good and primed too.

Also, I read elsewhere that the proper way to prime the oil pump is to unplug the ICM and distributor, pull the fuel pump relay, and turn the engine over for 10 to 20 sec at a time until oil is getting pumped through the spray bars. Is this the recommended method according to you sr20-forum pros?

Still need to know about what size the washers are. I can get an assortment of them from HF for $5, so I'm sure the size I need will be in there.

Okay, I looked at another set, and some pics online...

Should or shouldn't there be a washer between the oil spray rail and the cap? or is there just a washer between the bolt head and the top. Need this info quick as I'm wanting to do my first start tonight...

Don't worry about it, there was never a copper washer for the oil spray bar.

I've never seen one there before.

Nope, no washer between the rail and cam cap. Just between the bolt head and rail. They dont use copper washers.

Just goes to show you that you shouldn't take too much stock on what you read on the net... lol

I pulled the valve train apart last night anyway and used the opportunity to clean the rails. Should be good to know.

Now, I do have two sets of rails one with rounded ends where the bolts go and one with flat ends. As I understand it, the rounded end ones were the ones that came on the DET motors. Is that correct? I already have the flat ones installed. If this is so, I'm going to keep the rounded ones for the fully built I'm doing next summer.

And thanks for the info. Makes me feel a little more comfortable about the rebuild.