I am going to be tearing into my car this weekend to start a head/cam swap. Those that have done this, what special tools are required?
This is my first major mod to the LT1.

Thanks!

James

 

A really good socket set (almost everything is 9/16ths, or 10-14mm sockets.. You need a torque wrench, engine lift, (or at least a jack), fuel line release tool, hex keys, Torx keys, open ended wrenches in the same sizes as your sockets, a breaker bar, penetrating oil, replacement gaskets, gasket scraper... digital camera, plastic baggies, and a sharpie.. I think that is about it..

-Mark

 

Thanks Mark,

How about a balancer puller? Is there any special kind or anything?

 

Just the right size puller, it doesn't have to be special. Don't try and use a jaw puller though. Use the one with the three slots.

If you plan on changing the crank gear you will use a jaw type puller on that though. You might want to think about an balancer installer as well.

Misc. items would include a telescope magnet, Assembly lube, degreaser, small parts cleaner, RTV, idian head gasket stuff. Meizier water pump :) Cloyes true double roller timing chain (Only if you go electric WP though)

 

Jay- you recently changed out a hot cam correct?? Did you pull the engine from the car? Or just jack it up high enough to get at the cam??? If you just jacked it up, did you have to unbolt the tranny?? Or did you just leave the tranny bolted, undo the engine mounts, and nudge it up??

-Mark

 

Nothing really special. You do need a balancer puller, which will probably also require different bolts to work. You don't need to buy a fuel fitting release tool if you don't have one, you can just lay the fuel rails on your windshield on top of some towels with the lines still attached.

 

Ok I am chainging to a double roller timing set, I have the miezere already :D So I will be pulling the crank gear. I need 2 pullers? Please explain differnece.

 

The LT1 pulley/balancer is bolted on. But you will need a special puller for the hub.

Good Luck.

 

You'll need two pullers. One that will bolt to the hub on the crankshaft that the balancer bolts to and one that has two or three prongs to pull the crank gear off. Go to autozone and use their tool rental program. You can make an installer using a threaded rod, washers and some bolts to drive the crank gear and balancer hub on the motor.

Be sure to replace the crank seal, waterpump drive seal and distributor drive seal while the timing cover is off.

 

James,
Aquametallic is right, however In your particular situation you will not require the waterpump gear shaft seal, there will be no shaft to seal after removing the waterpump drive gear and you'll need to get the timing chain cover sealed solidly. the waterpump drive gear, once the cam sprocket is removed, look for the waterpump drive gear retainer, its held with 2 torx bolts, T30 if i remember corrrectly, remove them and the retainer bracket, then find a socket which is just a hair smaller then the inside diameter of the bearing journal on the intake side of the lifter valley, slide the socket in and with a short 1"x1"x2" block of wood, tap the waterpump drive gear out of its hole. be sure to protect and openings with clean lint free rags. you have all the seals you need ;) , and for tools, if you do not have a shop manual, shoot me an email i can fax or email some shots of what they look like. the puller can be had from advance or autozone, the hub puller... i believe autozone has one available on their tool rent as mentioned above.

other tools, not necessary but they make things go smoothly, lots of extensions, ratcheting wrenches, and some help!! the best tool is a good friend or skilled helper, the job will be funner, and go smoother. screw drivers of various lengths, tons of plastic bags, label EVERYTHING, EVERY Nut and bolt you remove put it in a bag with a description of where it came from. organization is the key here! other then that, hammer, BIG Hammer for the stubborn obstacles that are sometimes found, but remember to always think it through first and then act, use only controlled movements! and HAVE FUN!! don't get discouraged if it seems like its taking forever, it always does! Good Luck! and enjoy1

Best Regards,
Chris Polanski

 

Thanks Aqua & Chris!

I don't have an autozone or advanced auto around here. There is a orielly's. I'm not sure if they have a rental program but I'll check. Are the pullers very expensive to buy? I may just want to get em for future use and friends cars.

Thanks again!

 

Do you have a pep boys?? At pep boys, you can "rent" tools, for free.. You pay for the full price of the tool, and if you return it within 10 days, you get your money back (and no, I am not saying use their return policy to cheat.. it is a tool borrowing program.. we got a heavy duty balancer puller last time around there.. used it for a few days, and returned it..)

 

No pep boys either! Were I live people either take thier cars to the dealer for repairs and get hosed! Or they drive em till they die then put them on blocks in the front yard. And go get another $250 car, these are called Hillbillies. So I guess there isn't a big demand for parts stores?!?!

Yes I live in the middle of nowhere pretty much but the LAKE is Awesome
and what sucked me into moving here! Plus there is no crime, the local hillbillies are to lazy to steal! :lol:

 

James, O'Reilly's does have a tool rental option. All you really do is pay for the tool, when done you return it for 100% refund. I actually use it often, just two weeks ago for a steering wheel puller ($20).

Good luck on the cam swap, if you get good at it let me know...after the gears (3.75's) tomorrow I plan on doing the same. I'd even let an experinced person help. :cheers:

Eric

 

Eric,

Thanks I'll check them! You'll love the gears. I'll let ya know how it goes, I feel like I should even get a digital camara to show some steps along the way but I'd need a cheapo one, the heads/cam have stole all my money and more! :lol: