Cam Install: Jackstands Style - 56k warning
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
AAHHHH A4 missed that, sorry. There really arent many tricks to swapping a cam. Just be carefull when you are reinstalling the balancer. DO NOT USE THE OLD BOLT!! They are "Torque To Yield" and are good for one use ONLY. If you snap that bolt in the front of the crank; you will be sorry. You can make a reinstallation tool for about $25.00 using bits from McMaster Carr.
Thanks for the reminder tho- nothing worse than those 'doh! moments!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Can't wait to button it up and turn the key!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
) They come highly suggested thus far. We'll see how I feel when it's all done 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 13
From: Stillman Valley Illinois
FWIW There is a big note in the factory service manual not to use any air tools when removeing either the front or rear cradle. You run the risk of snapping the retaining pin for the bolts.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Good note for those following along at home, I used them on the upper A arm and shock bolts without any troubles, I was doing something else when Dvandentop broke the cradle bolts loose, so not sure if he used them there or not, (most likely not if the shop manual dictates otherwise)
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,472
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
Can you give me specifics. I have to remove my underdrive pulley and install and pin my HB pulley as soon as I get some time, and I get sick just thinking about removing the rack.
LS1howto has a dozen steps including taking out the PUMP. I just want to know how to get it out of the way enough to pull the pulley
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
Boy, this site is really filling up with Jackasses.
The guy takes the time to document his install and share it with the site, and the nut swingers here have to prove how smart they are by picking apart his methods.
Its already done, and it is they way he did it because he said thats how the guy who is helping him wants to do it.
It's getting so people wont want to share because of the self acclaimed experts here.
The guy takes the time to document his install and share it with the site, and the nut swingers here have to prove how smart they are by picking apart his methods.
Its already done, and it is they way he did it because he said thats how the guy who is helping him wants to do it.
It's getting so people wont want to share because of the self acclaimed experts here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 103
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
"What on earth makes you think dropping the cradle is easier than pulling the steering rack?! You can have the rack out in a matter of minutes, it is NOT hard at all! And why aren't you installing headers with that cam? "
Can you give me specifics. I have to remove my underdrive pulley and install and pin my HB pulley as soon as I get some time, and I get sick just thinking about removing the rack.
LS1howto has a dozen steps including taking out the PUMP. I just want to know how to get it out of the way enough to pull the pulley
Can you give me specifics. I have to remove my underdrive pulley and install and pin my HB pulley as soon as I get some time, and I get sick just thinking about removing the rack.
LS1howto has a dozen steps including taking out the PUMP. I just want to know how to get it out of the way enough to pull the pulley
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
You only need to pull the PS pump and bracket if you are removing the cylinder head, otherwise it stays. You will need to disconnect the 2 lines going from the pump to the rack, I believe the are 18mm. Use a flare wrench, you might strip them with a regular open end. Remove the crown nuts holding the tie rods to the spindle, remove the 2 large bolts holding the rack to the K-member, remove the 2 bolts holding the PS cooler to the k-member and tie it up with a zip tie, and if I remember correctly you have to loosen the bolts holding the ABS block to the K-member. The rack just slides out the passenger side. You will have to wiggle it and turn it a bit, but it isn't any big deal. If the car is up high enough on jackstands that you can easily slide in and out this should not take you more than 20 minutes.
I helped reinstall mine when me and a buddy/mechanic installed my cam, but the guy that helped me took it out and removed and installed all of the bolts and connections, I just helped him wrestle the rack. It took us almost an hour to get that thing back in
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
X2 bcos 23x/24x cam iam interested and love to hear how it sounds, thanks for sharing and enjoy the vette now and describe when firts fired did it idle ok? or keep stalling.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 14,697
Likes: 584
From: Sioux Falls SD
Boy, this site is really filling up with Jackasses.
The guy takes the time to document his install and share it with the site, and the nut swingers here have to prove how smart they are by picking apart his methods.
Its already done, and it is they way he did it because he said thats how the guy who is helping him wants to do it.
It's getting so people wont want to share because of the self acclaimed experts here.
The guy takes the time to document his install and share it with the site, and the nut swingers here have to prove how smart they are by picking apart his methods.
Its already done, and it is they way he did it because he said thats how the guy who is helping him wants to do it.
It's getting so people wont want to share because of the self acclaimed experts here.
guys i have done many cam installs
my 01 z06
3 fbodys
cf member diamonds 02 z06
chris c5
and my c6z06
i have found it is way easier to drop the cradle from when i did my c6z06 this past summer then doing the power steering slide like i did on my 01 z06 a few years back.
sorry if you think your method is better or whatever but it worked fine for us and we are bolting back together now that is all that matters....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
guys i have done many cam installs
my 01 z06
3 fbodys
cf member diamonds 02 z06
chris c5
and my c6z06
i have found it is way easier to drop the cradle from when i did my c6z06 this past summer then doing the power steering slide like i did on my 01 z06 a few years back.
sorry if you think your method is better or whatever but it worked fine for us and we are bolting back together now that is all that matters....
my 01 z06
3 fbodys
cf member diamonds 02 z06
chris c5
and my c6z06
i have found it is way easier to drop the cradle from when i did my c6z06 this past summer then doing the power steering slide like i did on my 01 z06 a few years back.
sorry if you think your method is better or whatever but it worked fine for us and we are bolting back together now that is all that matters....
Don't explain yourself to these guys, you don't need to.
Thanks for taking the time to document the install and share it with us. I love these types of posts, can't wait to see/hear the finished product.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
make sure to keep rotating the crank while torquing down the rocker arms. This keeps the lifters in check. My lifter failure is suspected because of not rotating the crank while torquing the rockers.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Just up for the morning to go work on it, pretty excited, should be nooner or so CST for first fire. Then I gotta upload to youtube and wait for transcode... thanks for all the tips of the hats, I was very intimidated by the project but dvandentop talked me into it. Looking back it wasn't all that bad and a great way to save huge dollars on making some power.
