Changing Cam
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Well...Poop!!! I just put the radiator in, then I decided to change the oil. The magnetic drain plug was full of metal. When I started it up, it has a definate ticking noise. Oh well, at least it will give me something to do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1,360
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
I can't speak for anybody else's car, but on a '70 with the large copper rad (no expansion tank), you CAN change the cam without removing the rad or shroud.
It's very close, you may want to put a thin sheet of aluminum, or tin on the rad surface so you don't "nick" it.
I have done it.
Barry
It's very close, you may want to put a thin sheet of aluminum, or tin on the rad surface so you don't "nick" it.
I have done it.
Barry
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Thanks for the info. I agree that it should be easier to take out the second time. I'd hate to put a hole in a nice new Dewitts rad. 
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
I can't speak for anybody else's car, but on a '70 with the large copper rad (no expansion tank), you CAN change the cam without removing the rad or shroud.
It's very close, you may want to put a thin sheet of aluminum, or tin on the rad surface so you don't "nick" it.
I have done it.
Barry
It's very close, you may want to put a thin sheet of aluminum, or tin on the rad surface so you don't "nick" it.
I have done it.
Barry
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
'Just pulled my cam on a 73 350. Needed to pull radiator (unbolt radiator support). Still not enough room -- cam was hitting ac condensor with radiator support pushed all the way forward until the ac condensor touched the leadlight door actuators.
However, I was able to tilt the condensor and pull the left side up enough to remove the cam without disconnecting the hoses.
'Can't say this would work for everyone.
However, I was able to tilt the condensor and pull the left side up enough to remove the cam without disconnecting the hoses.
'Can't say this would work for everyone.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Allentown PA
If you remove the hood you will have room to tilt the condenser towards the front of car and then have enough clearance to extract/install the cam. Don't know if you could do it without removing the radiator and shroud, but I have always removed them.
Last edited by OldCorvetteKid; Feb 9, 2008 at 01:17 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
Variations from year to year could cause the difference in posts.
In my '73, 350 with the hood off, radiator out, radiator support all the way forward, the cam still hit the condensor. The condensor had to be pulled up and rotated out of the way of the cam.
If it's of help, the cam is 21-1/2 inches long plus the sprocket pin.
In my '73, 350 with the hood off, radiator out, radiator support all the way forward, the cam still hit the condensor. The condensor had to be pulled up and rotated out of the way of the cam.
If it's of help, the cam is 21-1/2 inches long plus the sprocket pin.
