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BB Cam Change

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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 02:47 PM
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Default BB Cam Change

Has anyone changed the cam, balancer and timing set on a BB 454 A/C car with the engine in the car with A/C? The question is -- is it worth the disassembly or is just pulling the engine more practical?? Thanks
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 03:17 PM
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I'd like to know too. I have this job in my future.
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 03:57 PM
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No reason to pull the engine for a cam change. You would end up messing with a bunch of extra work for no reason, transmission, exhaust manifolds or headers.

Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 3, 2011 at 04:18 PM.
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 03:57 PM
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I'm pretty sure I've heard of people changing the cam while the motor is still in the car. You definitely have to pull the rad,rad support,condenser etc. This is still less work than pulling the motor.

I changed a cam in a 69 Chevelle with the motor in. I had to pull the grill and the front bumper off to get it out though.
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 04:49 PM
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Just lay the compressor/bracket over to the side. Pull the radiator, slide cam out.
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:44 PM
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Probably right on the amt of work. Just wondering if that would be a can of worms. Good excuse to work on the cooling system also. Thx
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:58 PM
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I've done it. Not a bad job. Actually didn't empty the AC, rotated the condenser out of the way and the cam just barely made it past. Pretty sure I removed the hood (it's been a while).
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 12:41 PM
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And you can even keep the hood on, but you need to close it just a little to get the last inch needed of clearence.

I found the biggest PITA was to seal the oilpan - timing cover ....

/ Mr. Beam
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Beam
And you can even keep the hood on, but you need to close it just a little to get the last inch needed of clearence.

I found the biggest PITA was to seal the oilpan - timing cover ....

/ Mr. Beam
Yeah, that's a pain. Next time take a pair of tin snips and trim the gasket lip ears on the timing chain cover. Then it slips right in w/o screwing with the oil pan.
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Old Jun 4, 2011 | 09:12 PM
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keep in mind your C3 operates a bunch of vacuum acc.
more Cam = less vacuum.
going with too big a Cam, can open up a whole new can of worms.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 10:28 PM
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Default 454 cam change

Originally Posted by 69Vett
keep in mind your C3 operates a bunch of vacuum acc.
more Cam = less vacuum.
going with too big a Cam, can open up a whole new can of worms.
I've run into the big after market cam problem on a Vette and a Chevelle. On a whim, I tried RHODES lifters. Sweet mother of honest advertisng! They do exactly what the manufactuer says they will do. Both cars immediately developed nice manners and vacuum problems went away.
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