Camshaft removal question

[Holden]

I've seen differing instructions for this.

One way says to loosen all the valve springs before taking off the cam. The other way leaves the valve springs as is.

I'd like to leave my valve springs alone since the head will be reinstalled with no work done on it.

Is it OK to remove the Camshaft with the valve springs still tightened? Is there any special order I should remove things in to do it this way?

TIA

[zip]

Holden, if you haven't seen this DIY page, check this out:

http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/caminstall/cam.php

[JRCivic]

There is no such thing as "loosening valve springs". I am assuming that you are referring to loosening the valve lash... which is the screw/nut atop each low-cam follower that allows one to adjust the clearance between the rocker arm and camshaft lobe. These would be used when performing a "VALVE ADJUSTMENT". It is not necessary to loosen them before removing your camshafts... however, it is mandatory to loosen them when replacing your original camshafts with new ones... even stock replacements. This is to minimize the risk of rocker arm damage when installing bigger profile cams. Remember camshafts wear over time, and even a few thousandths make a difference. The acceptable clearance range on a "B" series VTEC engine is only three one-thousandths from tight to loose.

[BadAss]

My genuine, 1998 Acura Service Manual says that you need to loosen them before removing the camshaft. It's yet to be wrong since I've used it for other projects on my car.

Good luck.