Installing new cam.. what gaskets will I need??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Installing new cam.. what gaskets will I need??
I am going to be installing a hot cam in the next few weeks.. What gaskets will I need?? I know I need the intake gasket, as well as the timing chain cover gasket. I have heard rumors that to get the timing chain cover off, you need to remove the oil pan as well.. is this true?? In this case, add 1 oil pan gasket.
I figure, while I have the timing stuff off, I might as well replace my timing chain.. should I just replace it with a stock chain?? Or are there other (Better, but not expensive) options??
-Mark
I figure, while I have the timing stuff off, I might as well replace my timing chain.. should I just replace it with a stock chain?? Or are there other (Better, but not expensive) options??
-Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
I'll assume the LT1 uses most of the same things an L98 does. :)
- Intake Manifold Gaskets
- Distributor Gasket (will come with a felpro intake set)
- Timing Cover Gasket
- Oilpan Gasket
- Water Pump Gaskets
- Thermostat Gasket (only if you take it off the manifold)
- Black RTV
You don't have to take the oilpan off, but in order to make darn sure you get the best seal possible it is best to drop the front edge of the oilpan an inch or so as the timing cover has a lip on the bottom of it that the oilpan gaskets and oil pan fit into.
Do not forget to put RTV along the front and rear walls of the engine block. You will want to also continue onto the cylinder heads so that the RTV meets up with the intake gasket insuring a full seal. You need to do the same down on the timing cover also. Put some at the edges/corners where it meets the oilpan gasket. It will make sense when you see it. :)
- Intake Manifold Gaskets
- Distributor Gasket (will come with a felpro intake set)
- Timing Cover Gasket
- Oilpan Gasket
- Water Pump Gaskets
- Thermostat Gasket (only if you take it off the manifold)
- Black RTV
You don't have to take the oilpan off, but in order to make darn sure you get the best seal possible it is best to drop the front edge of the oilpan an inch or so as the timing cover has a lip on the bottom of it that the oilpan gaskets and oil pan fit into.
Do not forget to put RTV along the front and rear walls of the engine block. You will want to also continue onto the cylinder heads so that the RTV meets up with the intake gasket insuring a full seal. You need to do the same down on the timing cover also. Put some at the edges/corners where it meets the oilpan gasket. It will make sense when you see it. :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
Re: Installing new cam.. what gaskets will I need?? (MarkLT1)
I am going to be installing a hot cam in the next few weeks.. What gaskets will I need?? I know I need the intake gasket, as well as the timing chain cover gasket. I have heard rumors that to get the timing chain cover off, you need to remove the oil pan as well.. is this true?? In this case, add 1 oil pan gasket.
I figure, while I have the timing stuff off, I might as well replace my timing chain.. should I just replace it with a stock chain?? Or are there other (Better, but not expensive) options??
-Mark
I figure, while I have the timing stuff off, I might as well replace my timing chain.. should I just replace it with a stock chain?? Or are there other (Better, but not expensive) options??
-Mark
As for dropping the oil pan, I didn't have to drop it to get it off, I just somehow managed to pry it off. The oil pan gasket is flexible enough that you should be able to do this. And before I put it back on I ground off the lip of the timing chain cover so it could go on strait without dropping the oil pan. I put some gasket seeler on it when I put it back on and haven't had any trouble with it since.
If you bother replacing the timing chain you should upgrade. If the stock chains are cheap enough go ahead and do it, but to upgrade it'll be about $400, to me that's not worth it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: Installing new cam.. what gaskets will I need?? (mn_vette)
If you bother replacing the timing chain you should upgrade. If the stock chains are cheap enough go ahead and do it, but to upgrade it'll be about $400, to me that's not worth it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Re: Installing new cam.. what gaskets will I need?? (scorp508)
$400 seems a little high to me too, I paid $240 for my HD unit for the LT1/4...well worth the investment when you look at them side to side.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Installing new cam.. what gaskets will I need?? (Zix)
$400 seems a little high to me too, I paid $240 for my HD unit for the LT1/4...well worth the investment when you look at them side to side.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 934
Likes: 0
From: MO
Re: Installing new cam.. what gaskets will I need?? (MarkLT1)
I believe there is a difference in 95-96 timing chains from the 92-94's.
Is this right??? I know some have just got the LT1 replacement chain and its like $30 bucks.
I heard you have to change to the newer opti or something to use the HD timing chain kit?!?!
Is this right??? I know some have just got the LT1 replacement chain and its like $30 bucks.
I heard you have to change to the newer opti or something to use the HD timing chain kit?!?!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Installing new cam.. what gaskets will I need?? (James94LT1)
Yes, to use the HD GM LT1/4 chain you have to upgrade to the '95-96 front cover and opti. Not worth it IMO. I ran my 396 using the stock LT1 chain without any problems. I am using a Cloyes double roller now though.
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