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Cam swap possible without removing heads/

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Old Sep 26, 2014 | 04:28 PM
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Default Cam swap possible without removing heads/

I need to go back to a stock cam for reasons that can be explained later.

I am well versed in C5's so I know all the basics, sadly the motor was out of the car three days ago and I'd rather not yank it again if I can change the cam without doing so. Can I slide the cam out and back in without pulling the heads? Do the lifter trays keep the lifters from dropping?

Thanks!

Ugh. And how do I edit the thread title?
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Old Sep 26, 2014 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by ScaryFast
I need to go back to a stock cam for reasons that can be explained later.

I am well versed in C5's so I know all the basics, sadly the motor was out of the car three days ago and I'd rather not yank it again if I can change the cam without doing so. Can I slide the cam out and back in without pulling the heads? Do the lifter trays keep the lifters from dropping?

Thanks!

Ugh. And how do I edit the thread title?
If you leave it in the car, you'll have to drop the steering rack to get the balancer off, then unless you have a two piece timing cover you'll have to pull that. No need to pull the heads. Pull the radiator, you can use wooden dowel rods to keep the lifters up, people do it all the time. I wouldn't count on the lifter trays at all.

Oh, and no editing the title.....only mods can.
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Old Sep 26, 2014 | 05:44 PM
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Some shops find it easier to drop the entire drivetrain to perform a cam swap. Doubtful the DIY guy has the proper tools. I've done it three times in my garage on jackstands; by the normal method.
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Old Sep 28, 2014 | 09:44 PM
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yep, there's 2 holes to insert (i believe 5/16") dowel rods that hold the lifters up. just give the crank a couple turns to get them up into the trays, then insert the rods.
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Old Sep 28, 2014 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by _zebra
just give the crank a couple turns to get them up into the trays, then insert the rods.
put the cam bolts back in the cam and spin the cam to get the lifters up in to the trays then insert the dowels to ensure they do not fall with the cam removed...that would be no bueno...
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Old Sep 28, 2014 | 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by dan1546
put the cam bolts back in the cam and spin the cam to get the lifters up in to the trays then insert the dowels to ensure they do not fall with the cam removed...that would be no bueno...
yeah... i reckon that'd be a lot easier than doing it while everything's together
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Old Sep 29, 2014 | 08:46 AM
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Piece of cake. Thanks for the help. Here's the procedure I used:

Pull timing cover, rockers, and pushrods. I also pulled the spark plugs and unplugged injectors so the engine is free-wheeling. Crank the engine for 10 seconds to put all the lifters up, and quickly pull the old cam and insert the new one. I had the new one lubed up and ready to go.

Last edited by ScaryFast; Sep 30, 2014 at 02:31 PM. Reason: typo
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Old Sep 29, 2014 | 10:20 AM
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You must have unhooked the rods to pull that "crank"

Sorry, just messing with you I'm the master at typos.....

Glad it worked out easy for you
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Old Sep 29, 2014 | 10:23 AM
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That's great that worked for you. If a lifter fell out because you didn't use the dowel rods you would still be cussing
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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Blow Torch
You must have unhooked the rods to pull that "crank"

Sorry, just messing with you I'm the master at typos.....

Glad it worked out easy for you
HaHa, yeah that would be a real trick to pull the crank with my method

Originally Posted by feeder82
That's great that worked for you. If a lifter fell out because you didn't use the dowel rods you would still be cussing
In general, my understanding from discussing with people who do more cam swaps that I do is that the lifter trays will keep them up for a short time, maybe even up to an hour. But certainly there is always risk...
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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by ScaryFast
HaHa, yeah that would be a real trick to pull the crank with my method



In general, my understanding from discussing with people who do more cam swaps that I do is that the lifter trays will keep them up for a short time, maybe even up to an hour. But certainly there is always risk...
Really? Two wooden dowels, 24" long, and 5/16 dia. Any Home Depot, Lowes, etc. has them...
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