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Old Apr 18, 2008 | 09:02 PM
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As many of you know I'm in the process of replacing my heads/cam, and everyone has been a great help! I'm currently in the process of removing the crank pully. In order to line up the cam gear with the crank gear correctly the number one piston needs to be TDC. If I don't have this perfect when I pull the balancer off will I be able to rotate the crank to line it up? Back in the day when I worked on my chevelle, I was able to put the pully on just enough to turn the motor over by rotating the pully by hand...but that generation of the v8 had the crank keyed. Will I be able to do something similar with this motor?
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Old Apr 18, 2008 | 09:07 PM
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Put your old balancer bolt in the crank and turn the motor over that way. You won't be able to use the balancer to turn the motor over unless you put it all the way on.

Don't worry about having #1 at TDC when you remove the balancer, you can easily do that once it's removed.
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Old Apr 18, 2008 | 09:22 PM
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sweet. that's what I want to hear!
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Old Apr 18, 2008 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by verano29
sweet. that's what I want to hear!
Hey Tom,

How's that care package working out that I sent ya ?


It seems like you're progressing nicely.
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Old Apr 18, 2008 | 09:49 PM
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Another reason to leave the plugs out

Are you swapping the cam? If so, why didn't you do it while the heads were off?
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by ajg1915
Hey Tom,

How's that care package working out that I sent ya ?


It seems like you're progressing nicely.
Coming along nice. I am currently (as in right now) cleaning out the head bolt holes. Tomorrow I'm going to use the tools that you borrowed me and swap the cam and get the heads mounted. Its going to me a great day. I'll post some pictures shortly. Thanks for all the help!
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 12:06 AM
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Originally Posted by vettenuts
Another reason to leave the plugs out

Are you swapping the cam? If so, why didn't you do it while the heads were off?
Heads are still off...plan to have them on tomorrow after I swap out the cam
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by verano29
Coming along nice. I am currently (as in right now) cleaning out the head bolt holes. Tomorrow I'm going to use the tools that you borrowed me and swap the cam and get the heads mounted. Its going to me a great day. I'll post some pictures shortly. Thanks for all the help!
Great, can't wait to see some pictures.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by thetorch
Put your old balancer bolt in the crank and turn the motor over that way. You won't be able to use the balancer to turn the motor over unless you put it all the way on.

Don't worry about having #1 at TDC when you remove the balancer, you can easily do that once it's removed.
Shouldn't a spacer be put on the bolt so it doesn't bottom out on the front plug? When I did this on mine I put a short 1" long piece of aluminum pipe on just in case.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 02:59 PM
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When you pull the cam thread some water pump bolts into it so you have something to hold onto. When the cam comes out of the bearing it will want to drop and smash into the bearings. Just an important safety tip like, "Ray, don't cross the streams!"
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by ArKay99
When you pull the cam thread some water pump bolts into it so you have something to hold onto. When the cam comes out of the bearing it will want to drop and smash into the bearings. Just an important safety tip like, "Ray, don't cross the streams!"
good advice. I was aware of that but its important to remember that...very important.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by ArKay99
Shouldn't a spacer be put on the bolt so it doesn't bottom out on the front plug? When I did this on mine I put a short 1" long piece of aluminum pipe on just in case.
good idea, I'll do the same
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by ArKay99
Shouldn't a spacer be put on the bolt so it doesn't bottom out on the front plug? When I did this on mine I put a short 1" long piece of aluminum pipe on just in case.
I don't know what 'plug' your referencing. Can you elaborate?
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