Changing cam with engine in car, how hard?
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From: Living in the Hartland
Changing cam with engine in car, how hard?
Was thinking of swapping heads and stuffing the roller cam I bought into the 350 but not sure about getting the cam in and dealing with the all the gaskets. Who has done it and is it better to yank the engine? If I yank the engine I'll probably just rebuild my 383 instead of swapping parts into the 350. Got a butt load of parts coming tomorrow so I am getting excited.
Decided to move this project to late summer, early fall so if I have problems again with the engine, I have all winter to work it out. If I start next spring and have problems I might eat into my cruising weather.
Thanks
Chris
Decided to move this project to late summer, early fall so if I have problems again with the engine, I have all winter to work it out. If I start next spring and have problems I might eat into my cruising weather.
Thanks
Chris
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From: Traveling the US
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (Fevre)
Relitively easy. Checkout http://www.corvettefaq.com for a step by step instruction.
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (Chris@VetteFinders)
Thanks for the link. I was just worried about having enough room once the hood and rad where removed but looks like no problems. :cool:
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (burners)
That's what I like to hear. I like to tinker with stuff and putting a new cam and headers on the 350 would make it more interesting to drive. Should put me in the upper 300's in hp at the flywheel with the 750 dp.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Waukesha WI
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (burners)
I just did mine too. Plently of room. Only problem is you have to drop the oil pan, and now mine is leaking pretty good. I could probably fix that myself, but its such a pain without a lift Ill probably take it in. I think certain years you do not have to lower the pan at all.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Waukesha WI
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (Fevre)
Oh yeah...the chattering noise and smoke went away after running the engine a little longer. ALL BY THEMSELVES! Dont know why, but others have reported the same. Now she is running tip top except for the leaks and some choke/idle speed adjustments. I need to TTT my post on that. Look for "tuning question part 2". :cheers: :cheers:
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Joined: Jun 2000
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From: FL
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (DollaGreen)
The CorvetteFAQ link above is great info.
Took me 3 days working about 4-5 hours each day when I did the cam swap last year (before the rebuild bug bit). I seem to remember that Bence did his in one mammoth 13 hour session before the BB swap bug bit him. :cheers:
Don't forget a new timing chain while you are at and make sure the valve springs can accomodate the new cam's lift. :smash:
Took me 3 days working about 4-5 hours each day when I did the cam swap last year (before the rebuild bug bit). I seem to remember that Bence did his in one mammoth 13 hour session before the BB swap bug bit him. :cheers:
Don't forget a new timing chain while you are at and make sure the valve springs can accomodate the new cam's lift. :smash:
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (Fevre)
By the time you get to the point of changing the cam you could have pulled the engine. If it was only changing the cam you wanted to do I would say its easy. But at this point pulling the engine is also easy and if you wanted to pull it you should do that.
A few extra wires to unhook apposed to pulling the heads and intake while in the car. Its about a wash.
Also its a back killer in the car.
A few extra wires to unhook apposed to pulling the heads and intake while in the car. Its about a wash.
Also its a back killer in the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Union Ontario
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (Techno)
Fevre,
Its an easy job to do, no need to remove the hood either, just the rad and fan shroud!
{drool} roller cam{/drool} have fun!
Its an easy job to do, no need to remove the hood either, just the rad and fan shroud!
{drool} roller cam{/drool} have fun!
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Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (Fevre)
Yup. Not a hard project at all. Well, it's a PITA getting to the point where you can do the cam install, but it's pretty easy once you get there. The tough thing is that the hood & radiator need to come out. Pretty much takes 2 people to do that. GIve me a shout if you need a hand and I should be able to swing down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Green Cove Springs FL
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (Techno)
So if an expert mechanic had the choice to pull the engine or yank the radiator & intake off; it would be quicker/easier to pull the engine?
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (FroDaddy)
I might change my rad so no big deal on that. I was actually out looking at it just a minute and was thinking might be able to do it with the hood on. Sounds like I can. I changed the heads with the engine in the car before but not the cam. Getting the old iron heads out sucked but the alum heads where a breeze to put in.
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
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From: FL
Re: Changing cam with engine in car, how hard? (Fevre)
You may be able to do the job with the hood on but it is TEN times easier with the hood off. Pulling the hood only takes 5 minutes with two people and about 10 to reinstall.
Trick is in marking where the hinges go. Here is my trick. Powdered chalk. Blow some on the hinge plates where they bolt to the hood. When you remove the hood, there will be a clear outline of the plateswhen it comes time to install. Simple. Plus, cleanup is a snap.
Trick is in marking where the hinges go. Here is my trick. Powdered chalk. Blow some on the hinge plates where they bolt to the hood. When you remove the hood, there will be a clear outline of the plateswhen it comes time to install. Simple. Plus, cleanup is a snap.