How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

djtlaz · 11-26-2005, 11:15 PM

I am thinking about getting a performer series package from edelbrock. It has a intake manifold,heads,cam shaft. I haven't ever put in a cam. Is it fairly easy to do?

matthufham · 11-26-2005, 11:33 PM

well to get to the cam you have to:
A: remove intake, and valve covers, loosen and remove pushrods, so you can remove the lifters or the cam won't come out
B: remove front of engine, which means crank pully, the water pump, fan, timing cover, timing chain, and more i just can't remember it all.

then you put the new one in and bolt on everything. if you're getting new heads, you'll want to dissasemble the engine like this anyways.

djtlaz · 11-26-2005, 11:37 PM

I knew what all had to be removed I just didn't know if there was any hidden secrets I needed to know about before doing this.

fastwillie 696969 · 11-26-2005, 11:41 PM

its not hard if you just set the cam timing to tdc you should be ok try google how to install cam

**VetteVet** · 11-26-2005, 11:42 PM

If I was going to do the package I would do a complete rebuild. Unless you have a fresh rebuild or an engine with low mileage you are going to put a lot of strain on the lower end of your engine. By the time you get all the components off you're changing there isn't much left to pulling the engine and rebuilding it. A fresh bore with new pistons rings etc. and as for the cam it would be best to have a machine shop install new cam bearings before you put that new cam in. Cams aren't hard to install but you have to be careful not to damage the cam bearings and if you have a manual or an experienced friend to help set it up it isn't too hard.

fastwillie 696969 · 11-26-2005, 11:47 PM

http://www.amotion.com/tech/caminst.html

djtlaz · 11-26-2005, 11:53 PM

I bought the truck recently and the the guy said it only had about 10k on it. I believe him just looking at it you can tell it is fairly new. Also when I was under it I saw a bar code from the dealer that was practicly new. It was in a spot that the guy would have had to spend a lot of time trying to clean it do fraud someone.

**special-K** · 11-27-2005, 08:19 AM

I think the cam bearings are what makes it tough.I would only replace cam & bearings together(and lifters).

**truckdude239** · 11-27-2005, 09:15 AM

remenber to replace the lifters with the cam if u use the old lifters they will wear old the new cam like mins then you've wasteed you money just my $.02

jhow66 · 11-27-2005, 01:36 PM

No need to install cam bearings when changing cams.

mrein3 · 11-27-2005, 01:43 PM

My personal best is on my 4x4 truck. I had the used cam laying on the work bench in one hour flat.

In my opinion the hardest part is getting the timing chain cover off. On my 4x4 you can lower the oil pan far enough without lifting the engine. I don't know if you can do that on a 2wd.

When I built my 383 I put in an Edelbrock 2-piece timing chain cover in case I ever have to put in another cam. (My old 350 used to eat cams for lunch so I'm a bit sensitive there.)

**VetteVet** · 11-27-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhow66

No need to install cam bearings when changing cams.

Normally I would agree with that but in this case the OP wants to install a high performance package and with the increased loads on the engine lower end and higher rpms possible I recommend it, particularly on a high mileage engine. As we see by a later post it is not a high mileage engine. I would still measure the bearing clearances and be sure. On a complete rebuild it just makes sense to replace them anyway. It's good insurance and not to do it to save a few bucks is just foolish.IMO

**Stocker** · 11-27-2005, 03:49 PM

Here's another guide... http://www.2quicknovas.com/happycams.html

jhow66 · 11-27-2005, 11:41 PM

Was talking about his low mileage motor. If you are going to rebuild one you would have to put them in anyway if you have it hot tanked.

11-26-2005, 11:15 PM	#1
djtlaz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tempe,AZ Posts: 38	How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft I am thinking about getting a performer series package from edelbrock. It has a intake manifold,heads,cam shaft. I haven't ever put in a cam. Is it fairly easy to do?

11-26-2005, 11:33 PM	#2
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft well to get to the cam you have to: A: remove intake, and valve covers, loosen and remove pushrods, so you can remove the lifters or the cam won't come out B: remove front of engine, which means crank pully, the water pump, fan, timing cover, timing chain, and more i just can't remember it all. then you put the new one in and bolt on everything. if you're getting new heads, you'll want to dissasemble the engine like this anyways.

11-26-2005, 11:37 PM	#3
djtlaz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tempe,AZ Posts: 38	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft I knew what all had to be removed I just didn't know if there was any hidden secrets I needed to know about before doing this.

11-26-2005, 11:41 PM	#4
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft its not hard if you just set the cam timing to tdc you should be ok try google how to install cam __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

11-26-2005, 11:42 PM	#5
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft If I was going to do the package I would do a complete rebuild. Unless you have a fresh rebuild or an engine with low mileage you are going to put a lot of strain on the lower end of your engine. By the time you get all the components off you're changing there isn't much left to pulling the engine and rebuilding it. A fresh bore with new pistons rings etc. and as for the cam it would be best to have a machine shop install new cam bearings before you put that new cam in. Cams aren't hard to install but you have to be careful not to damage the cam bearings and if you have a manual or an experienced friend to help set it up it isn't too hard. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

11-26-2005, 11:47 PM	#6
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft http://www.amotion.com/tech/caminst.html __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

11-26-2005, 11:53 PM	#7
djtlaz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tempe,AZ Posts: 38	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft I bought the truck recently and the the guy said it only had about 10k on it. I believe him just looking at it you can tell it is fairly new. Also when I was under it I saw a bar code from the dealer that was practicly new. It was in a spot that the guy would have had to spend a lot of time trying to clean it do fraud someone.

11-27-2005, 08:19 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft I think the cam bearings are what makes it tough.I would only replace cam & bearings together(and lifters). __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-27-2005, 09:15 AM	#9
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft remenber to replace the lifters with the cam if u use the old lifters they will wear old the new cam like mins then you've wasteed you money just my $.02 __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

11-27-2005, 01:36 PM	#10
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft No need to install cam bearings when changing cams. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

11-27-2005, 01:43 PM	#11
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,254	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft My personal best is on my 4x4 truck. I had the used cam laying on the work bench in one hour flat. In my opinion the hardest part is getting the timing chain cover off. On my 4x4 you can lower the oil pan far enough without lifting the engine. I don't know if you can do that on a 2wd. When I built my 383 I put in an Edelbrock 2-piece timing chain cover in case I ever have to put in another cam. (My old 350 used to eat cams for lunch so I'm a bit sensitive there.) __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

11-27-2005, 03:49 PM	#13
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,731	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft Here's another guide... http://www.2quicknovas.com/happycams.html __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

11-27-2005, 11:41 PM	#14
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: How difficult is it to put in a cam shaft Was talking about his low mileage motor. If you are going to rebuild one you would have to put them in anyway if you have it hot tanked. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer



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