[C2] what seals are needed when swapping cam?
09-04-2018, 04:38 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
what seals are needed when swapping cam?
One of my winter projects is to swap a cam in my 350 crate.
Cause I live in Europe, I want to make sure I have all parts at hand when doing so. Missing one can mean weeks of waiting for it to arrive...
So, apart from the cam/lifters set: intake manifold gaskets and seals, oil pan gasket and seals , valve cover gaskets, timing chain cover gasket. Did I forget something?
Thanks
Cause I live in Europe, I want to make sure I have all parts at hand when doing so. Missing one can mean weeks of waiting for it to arrive...
So, apart from the cam/lifters set: intake manifold gaskets and seals, oil pan gasket and seals , valve cover gaskets, timing chain cover gasket. Did I forget something?
Thanks
09-04-2018, 06:17 AM
#2
One of my winter projects is to swap a cam in my 350 crate.
Cause I live in Europe, I want to make sure I have all parts at hand when doing so. Missing one can mean weeks of waiting for it to arrive...
So, apart from the cam/lifters set: intake manifold gaskets and seals, oil pan gasket and seals , valve cover gaskets, timing chain cover gasket. Did I forget something?
Thanks
Cause I live in Europe, I want to make sure I have all parts at hand when doing so. Missing one can mean weeks of waiting for it to arrive...
So, apart from the cam/lifters set: intake manifold gaskets and seals, oil pan gasket and seals , valve cover gaskets, timing chain cover gasket. Did I forget something?
Thanks
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alexandervdr (09-04-2018)
09-04-2018, 06:43 AM
#3
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You might also consider a new timing chain cover gasket, if you use one, as well as a distributor gasket (in that these can get lost or destroyed over time. Lastly, the front oil pan seal that rides in the timing chain cover groove - it's a good time to refresh that one, particularly if it's weepy.
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alexandervdr (09-05-2018)
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09-04-2018, 09:34 AM
#5
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Make it simple. Get a full rebuild set from Fel-Pro. The distributor must come out, intake comes off, timing cover, water pump etc. Whatever is left over you might use in the future. 
Dennis
Dennis
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alexandervdr (09-05-2018)
09-04-2018, 10:15 AM
#6
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A couple of tips:
1. If your oil pan seal is solid and not leaking, you can simply loosen the pan bolts enough (more in the front and less in the back) to slightly drop the front of the pan to remove the timing cover (if you have a one piece oil pan gasket this is easy, if you have a multi piece gasket you can replace the separate timing cover seal, but in both cases a couple dabs of silicone in the corners when you retorque the oil pan should be all you need.
2. To get better control of the cam, thread a long bolt into the cam snout to pull it out and put it back in without damaging or dislodging the cam bearings.
3. When you reinstall the timing cover, loosely install the cover bolts and then install the crank damper and torque the cover to spec. This allows the damper sleeve to center the cover and ensure the seal rides evenly on the damper.
4. Observe the water pump bolt holes some go into the water jacket and require sealant on the threads of the mounting bolts.
5. Adjust the valve before reinstalling the intake manifold so you can watch the valve geometry carefully and ensure all components are aligned and functioning properly.
There are many more little tips and tricks like not using the end seals on the intake manifold, but this will get you started.
Best of luck and post a video of it running when you are finished.
1. If your oil pan seal is solid and not leaking, you can simply loosen the pan bolts enough (more in the front and less in the back) to slightly drop the front of the pan to remove the timing cover (if you have a one piece oil pan gasket this is easy, if you have a multi piece gasket you can replace the separate timing cover seal, but in both cases a couple dabs of silicone in the corners when you retorque the oil pan should be all you need.
2. To get better control of the cam, thread a long bolt into the cam snout to pull it out and put it back in without damaging or dislodging the cam bearings.
3. When you reinstall the timing cover, loosely install the cover bolts and then install the crank damper and torque the cover to spec. This allows the damper sleeve to center the cover and ensure the seal rides evenly on the damper.
4. Observe the water pump bolt holes some go into the water jacket and require sealant on the threads of the mounting bolts.
5. Adjust the valve before reinstalling the intake manifold so you can watch the valve geometry carefully and ensure all components are aligned and functioning properly.
There are many more little tips and tricks like not using the end seals on the intake manifold, but this will get you started.
Best of luck and post a video of it running when you are finished.
Last edited by Factoid; 09-04-2018 at 10:16 AM.
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alexandervdr (09-05-2018)
09-04-2018, 10:53 AM
#7
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Dennis
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09-04-2018, 01:56 PM
#9
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You cannot just run down to a parts store for a missing gasket, so the minimal extra cost for a full gasket set is well worth the piece of mind (and the full set is often less cost when shipping one package is considered).
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alexandervdr (09-05-2018)