77 Vette - cam/head install
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 48
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From: Orlando FL
77 Vette - cam/head install
I started the disassembly of the wife's Vette last night. Surprisingly everything is coming apart quite easily (which scares me). When I worked on the brakes it was a nightmare. I have the scars to prove it.
Looks like I'll have to remove the hood so I can lean the AC condenser forward when pulling the cam out. Will that give enough clearance? Any other tips, tricks or advice? What should the heads be torqued to? Is there any way to retain the heat riser for the factory choke with my Edelbrock performer manifold? I have a Qjet.
Wait till you see the pictures.
Looks like I'll have to remove the hood so I can lean the AC condenser forward when pulling the cam out. Will that give enough clearance? Any other tips, tricks or advice? What should the heads be torqued to? Is there any way to retain the heat riser for the factory choke with my Edelbrock performer manifold? I have a Qjet.
Wait till you see the pictures.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 48
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From: Orlando FL
Found a wiped exhaust lobe on #8 last night.
For the record, since nobody's done a cam swap before...
I had to remove the driver's side headlight accuator (4 nuts and a pin). That made enough room to move the AC condensor up and forward. That was just enough to get the cam out. Other than that it has been straight forward. No big issues yet. I have to buy new bolts for the Vortec intake because they're a different size. But I should have done that anyway.
If anybody might have a suggestion for the Qjet choke that would be appreciated.
For the record, since nobody's done a cam swap before...
I had to remove the driver's side headlight accuator (4 nuts and a pin). That made enough room to move the AC condensor up and forward. That was just enough to get the cam out. Other than that it has been straight forward. No big issues yet. I have to buy new bolts for the Vortec intake because they're a different size. But I should have done that anyway. If anybody might have a suggestion for the Qjet choke that would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by 2002z28ssconv
If anybody might have a suggestion for the Qjet choke that would be appreciated.
do you actually even need a choke in FLA? alot of guys running the Speed demons even in the cold climates are using no chokes. I have not take mine off yet but it is fully leaned out so it doesn't do anything.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 48
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From: Orlando FL
It's the wife's daily driver. I gave it to her for Valentine's day this year thinking it would be a once-a-week Saturday driver to go have breakfast or something. Well... since then I can't get her out of it. She drives it to work EVERY day. (I would too, who am I kidding) I had to steal her keys while she was asleep to go make a set for myself or I would never be able to drive it. So anyway... I just was wanting to keep a choke on it for when next winter rolls around. I can already hear her complaning about it being hard to start. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by 2002z28ssconv
It's the wife's daily driver. I gave it to her for Valentine's day this year thinking it would be a once-a-week Saturday driver to go have breakfast or something. Well... since then I can't get her out of it. She drives it to work EVERY day. (I would too, who am I kidding) I had to steal her keys while she was asleep to go make a set for myself or I would never be able to drive it. So anyway... I just was wanting to keep a choke on it for when next winter rolls around. I can already hear her complaning about it being hard to start.
ok makes sense....if 1/2 of the partnership likes/drives it it makes purchases go a whole lot easier....
Last edited by bobs77vet; May 1, 2005 at 10:03 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by 2002z28ssconv
I can already hear her complaning about it being hard to start.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
You can replace the choke element with an electric choke unit. Edelbrock sells 'em, and perhaps some others too. Or you can use one from a newer QJet. All ya gotta do is find a 12V switched power source.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 48
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From: Orlando FL
It lives.
I had to grind off a bit of the exhaust manifolds to clear the valve covers, grind off about 1/8 inch on the A/C bracket to get it to fit the Vortec heads, customize the detent cable bracket and still need to customize the plug wire channels and buy a shorter air filter. All in all, not a terribly bad install.
I had to grind off a bit of the exhaust manifolds to clear the valve covers, grind off about 1/8 inch on the A/C bracket to get it to fit the Vortec heads, customize the detent cable bracket and still need to customize the plug wire channels and buy a shorter air filter. All in all, not a terribly bad install.
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