Passenger side front CAM mega cap?

ARDIUS1

MEMBER
2017 FORD F-150
2.7L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
67,000 MILES

I am searching for the subject line part and have had no success locating it unless I buy the entire head for over $4,000.00. Do you know where I may be able to locate one? I have searched all of south Texas salvage yards personally and have had no luck. The front cam mega cap is what houses the solenoids for the variable valve timing. It sits directly above and behind the timing chain and requires 3 bolts to hold it in place. The solenoids are high pressure oil, but the mega cap is not pressurized. Any help in locating this part would be greatly appreciated. Similar mega caps are priced around $38-$112.00, which is interesting that these parts can be sold separately, just not the one I'm looking for. Thanks in advance!

Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 AT 3:32 AM

5 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,233 POSTS

If you mean the part circled, the reason you cannot find one is that it has to be machined to match the camshaft bore in the head and is not interchangeable with a different one as a result. It is the same with any bearing cap on a cam or on a crankshaft, they are not something that you can just swap. If the ones you see listed are also ones that secure the cam, they are useless as replacement parts unless you have them machined to fit your head. What is the issue with yours?

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Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 AT 12:13 AM

ARDIUS1

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7 POSTS

Well, as you are probably aware, the screw holes where the solenoids are installed have about 1/8" of margarine/eggshell on both sides. In my case, one of the wet noodles that ford used for screws head broke off, leaving the remaining portion in the cap. Attempting to rethread where there is an obstruction is similar to tight roping with a grizzley bear. The screws used are too small to grab with a removal bit, so your option is purchasing a whole new head for $4,000.00. Instead, I came up with a better idea, but ended up destroying the cap, FUBAR.

I was under the the impression there was a little more beef on the sides of the cap, so now the valves have a window to the timing chain.

However, I have since been able to use the bottom portion that still aligns with the bore, as you mentioned, while also matching the depth, width, length of the original cap so that it fits under the cover. I used kevlar, which is the same as a bullet proof helmet.

This took me days to accomplish.

The good news is that I've now found other issues that have kept me from even trying to start the engine, so I've yet to determine if this rabbit hole ever ends.

$4,000.00 for a broken bolt head is a little much, so I think I'm going to take your advice and have it remachined. If you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise, I'll start looking around locally for some reputable machine shops.

The truck has 67,000 miles and literally zero problems prior. I'm not going out like that!

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Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 AT 2:44 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,233 POSTS

You are not the first to have this issue, I've drilled out a few of them. Not fun. A good machine shop should have an Idea of how to repair it. In my case I tend to drill them oversized and then install a solid thread insert into the holes.

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Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 AT 5:22 AM

ARDIUS1

MEMBER
7 POSTS

I concur. I attempted to use a 1/4 HSS bit, and then follow up with a tapping bit 1/4-20x1-1/2" sized to fit. Naturally, after losing center, I continued to increase the size of the bolt. The mounting hole in the solenoid should've been an indication, but I drilled that out as well. Haha! Thanks for your thoughts and plan.

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Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 AT 7:55 AM

STEVE W.