datamaster, glowing red headers. gurus please help
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 656
From: San Diego Ca
It is possible to change a C4 cam in car, but difficult. Last time I did it with a friend that was a GM tech, he did it in the car but the pan gasket was a pita.
However you don't need to change the cam. You just need to get the timing gear realigned, so that should easily be done in car. And even if you decide to degree it, you won't need to get the cam out, so pulling the radiator and jacking up the engine shouldn't be necessary.
However you don't need to change the cam. You just need to get the timing gear realigned, so that should easily be done in car. And even if you decide to degree it, you won't need to get the cam out, so pulling the radiator and jacking up the engine shouldn't be necessary.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
So I just heard from the mechanics shop on this issue. They said the ignition timing is right on but the "timing" is off. He said it looks like it's a tooth off or needed to be degreed.
This has to be physically done, correct? This can't be done with the pcm?
Anyone want to buy a corvette? $13k and its yours
This has to be physically done, correct? This can't be done with the pcm?
Anyone want to buy a corvette? $13k and its yours
As for removing the cam, unless it is flat it can stay put.
Last edited by aDigitalPhantom; Jul 16, 2015 at 06:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 492
Likes: 67
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
AFAIK you can install the opti wrong so the timing would be off.
You can also have the timing off at the timing chain, but you don't need to remove the camshaft to change this.
Again AFAIK only flat tappet camshafts would go flat. (lose a lobe)
You can also have the timing off at the timing chain, but you don't need to remove the camshaft to change this.
Again AFAIK only flat tappet camshafts would go flat. (lose a lobe)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 492
Likes: 67
How can the opti be on wrong? I've been up all night thinking about the timing chain and I just can't see how I am a tooth off. The opti though... I just lined up the groove on the gear with the little gear on the motor... Is that correct?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 115
From: Richmond Hill Ontario
which version of Optispark are you using? The original Version 1 or the later version 2 which uses the small dowel on the camshaft to drive the Opti ? I have personally witnessed several times on the Version2 where the dowel from the Camshaft was not inserted on the proper slot on the Optispark and the timing was off
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 492
Likes: 67
which version of Optispark are you using? The original Version 1 or the later version 2 which uses the small dowel on the camshaft to drive the Opti ? I have personally witnessed several times on the Version2 where the dowel from the Camshaft was not inserted on the proper slot on the Optispark and the timing was off
So there's two versions of opti's ... The cam had a dowel and the opti had a hole with a female gear in it and a slot/key way/protusion on the housing that mated to the timing cover.
I paid $10k for the car last year. I probably put $6k into it. $10k and its yours.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
And the pin did slide in easy it might be able to be forced in wrong.
Last edited by antfarmer2; Jul 17, 2015 at 09:11 AM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 492
Likes: 67
I did inspect that when I took it off(had to for rebuilding the motor) in case I needed to buy a new one and it looked to be in really good shape so I reused it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
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Gotta forgive me I'm self taught with motors and never had a dad around so terminology... I suck. Are you talking about the thing at the front of the crankshaft... The balancer that the serpentine belt wraps around?
I did inspect that when I took it off(had to for rebuilding the motor) in case I needed to buy a new one and it looked to be in really good shape so I reused it.
I did inspect that when I took it off(had to for rebuilding the motor) in case I needed to buy a new one and it looked to be in really good shape so I reused it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 492
Likes: 67
Yes, I took that off. I completely disassembled the motor and took the block to machine shop for a freshen up.
Anyone want to make some side cash and come do this cam thing lolol I'll pay good and feed well. Sorry can't offer any beer (pg13 household) but I have ice cold pop lol
Anyone want to make some side cash and come do this cam thing lolol I'll pay good and feed well. Sorry can't offer any beer (pg13 household) but I have ice cold pop lol
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 492
Likes: 67
If I remember right, the sleeve thing that fits over the crankshaft end had a key way and only went on one way. Then the balancer had a casting arrow on it... I do t remember more then that. I don't think I thought that could be put on wrong.
Race Director
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
Don't give up, be patient and learn more while you at it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 492
Likes: 67
... Huh??? I can't laugh at the "still for sale" yet I'm still trying to figure out what you meant by problem found lol. How does the balancer affect timing?
If I put the cam gear on the crankshaft with the #1 piston up then line up the dots....what am I not seeing that you are. Like I said act like your talking to a teenager lol.
Mind you I have two college degrees, can build a house from the ground up and have an iq of 137.... Just shows you how bad our education system is lololololol. Sorry guys this cam stuff is crazy hard for me to grasp... Iv been trying for years ... I just get confused with this.
If I put the cam gear on the crankshaft with the #1 piston up then line up the dots....what am I not seeing that you are. Like I said act like your talking to a teenager lol.
Mind you I have two college degrees, can build a house from the ground up and have an iq of 137.... Just shows you how bad our education system is lololololol. Sorry guys this cam stuff is crazy hard for me to grasp... Iv been trying for years ... I just get confused with this.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
... Huh??? I can't laugh at the "still for sale" yet I'm still trying to figure out what you meant by problem found lol. How does the balancer affect timing?
If I put the cam gear on the crankshaft with the #1 piston up then line up the dots....what am I not seeing that you are. Like I said act like your talking to a teenager lol.
If I put the cam gear on the crankshaft with the #1 piston up then line up the dots....what am I not seeing that you are. Like I said act like your talking to a teenager lol.
I have only replaced an LT1 timing chain once, and don't remember it very well. Do you know if the marks were at 6 and 12 (picture a clock) or 12 and 12?
PS
This may help http://shbox.com/ci/cam_install.html
Last edited by aDigitalPhantom; Jul 17, 2015 at 10:32 AM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 492
Likes: 67
lol