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When doing a cam swap...

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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 08:13 AM
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Default When doing a cam swap...

is it necessary to remove the heads to replace the lifters that came with the cam kit?

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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 08:38 AM
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No, if you remove the valve covers, you should have all the access you require
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 08:42 AM
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Default Lifter Replacement

You need to remove the heads to replace the lifters. If you leave the stock lifters in place you can spin the cam and push the lifters into the guides.

Bob K.
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob K
You need to remove the heads to replace the lifters. If you leave the stock lifters in place you can spin the cam and push the lifters into the guides.

Bob K.
I think this is the question I needed to ask in the first place. My car is in the shop for a cam swap (listed in sig). The mechanic called me first thing this morning and said, "we gotta remove the heads to take the old cam out because of the lifters". I am not replacing the stock lifters. Bottom line is, he's now telling me instead of a 20 hour cam-swap, more time will be needed to remove the heads, etc. Is there someone here knowledgeable enough on this that I could call and get the answer I'm looking for?

Huck
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 08:56 AM
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If you guys have any questions at all, feel free to call me. Would be happy to help.

609-752-0321
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 09:11 AM
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Thanks, Chris! That was awfully generous of you to give up a few minutes of your busy day to help me out. I won't forget that

Tom
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Huckzilla
Thanks, Chris! That was awfully generous of you to give up a few minutes of your busy day to help me out. I won't forget that

Tom

ECS
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 10:55 AM
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Good luck with your "mechanic". If he doesn't know how to swap a cam without replacing the lifters, then he likely has never worked on an LSX motor. You are paying for his on the job training.
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by FRCTony
Good luck with your "mechanic". If he doesn't know how to swap a cam without replacing the lifters, then he likely has never worked on an LSX motor. You are paying for his on the job training.
LOL...that's a good way of looking at it. It's all good now thanks to Chris at ECS

Huck
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 11:15 AM
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WOW!!!! Your in for a lot of re-work or worse,,,engine damage!! If he doesn't know how to lock the lifters in place, he is sure not going to know all the critical stuff about the harmonic damper installation and bolt torque procedure and front timing chain cover alignment stuff!!!!

You can use wooden dowel rods and insert them into two holes in the front of the engine. You remove the rockers, insert the wooden rods in the holes and spin the cam. The dowel rods will actually HOLD the lifters in place. I don't remember the actual size of the dowel rods (I think it was 3/16" DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT!!! ) I will find out later tonight when I get home.

If if not too late, maybe you can back out of the repair and find someone who is LSx engine knowledgeable!!

THE HEADS DO NOT NEED TO BE REMOVED!!

BC
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 11:20 AM
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Get a diffrent mechanic, this guy either has no idea what he is doing,or is trying to rip you off. You do not need to remove the heads if you arn't replacing the lifters.
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Old Jul 12, 2006 | 11:35 AM
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Thanks for the concern, but I've known this guy for nearly 15 years and he's always treated me right and done excellent work with all my vehicles. The more I'm learning about this (from this website and others), it's not necessary to remove the heads to replace the cam, but it can be a tricky procedure. I have all the confidence in the world that it will work out as intended. The guy is not trying to rip me off by any means, but again, thanks for the concern

I'll try to keep things updated here as more information comes in. Then, you can either say, "I told you so" or "Cool, glad things worked out for you"
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