19ls1ta99

iTrader: (2)

I remember reading how people use 5/16 dowel rods (2) in a cam swap is this to put in place of the JPR cam tool, dowel rods being used to keep lifters off of cam?

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

Yep. It helps to route the end of the dowels like a broom handle...

Platinum WS6

iTrader: (6)

yes thats correct, I actually bought some from home depot. It was a little pain in the butt, but it was worth the savings to just use them than that tool. I used vice grips to remove them and didn't have much issue. I would recommend them even though I really didnt need them because as I spun the cam around they all stayed up, just extra precaution. Good luck

19ls1ta99

iTrader: (2)

Ok thanks guys about how long do they need to be?

S10xGN

iTrader: (11)

Two-footers will give you a nice "handle" to yank them out with. Notice the RH side tool in the pic has a flat? The wooden dowel will go in (with force), but will fit much nicer if you take the time to sand a flat on it. Or as others here have done, use 5/16" brake tubing and hammer one side flat...

19ls1ta99

iTrader: (2)

Brake tubing sounds like it would be the best route

01 Trans-Am WS6

iTrader: (5)

Yep I used wooden dowles aswell

RX666

iTrader: (5)

So just a 5/16 dowel rod? Does it matter what length, as in can it be too long and damage anything?? Sorry to sound like a ****** tard, im just new with this..

Does the flat edge on the JPR tool's dowel provide easier installation as opposed to the wooden dowels? Id assume 5/16 brake hosing would not get hung up and work better as the guys above agree, im just thrown off with that flat edge on the JPR tool pictured. Im getting ready to dig into my first cam swap, so im still a novice with OHV cars.

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

No need to flatten a side or anything like that, the regular old 5/16" wooden dowel will do. Cut them to about 26" or so (block is about 20", so the extra 6" will make it easy to pull them out when you're finished).

beedo

iTrader: (28)

Why would you take a 5/16 rod and flatten one side? The tools that are pictured are 3/8 alum. rod that have a flat milled into them that brings them to about 5/15. I had a set and sold them and now I just use 5/16 aluminium rods that is 26" long, and I would hate to have wooden splinters in my engine if something hung up!

01formula6

iTrader: (7)

I have used wooden dowels a few times now, but if I had to do it again I'd use a brake line or some kind of metal rod. Breaking a wood one off would not be a fun experience.

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

I can't imagine breaking one off in the engine. I've always lubed them lightly with whatever motor oil I had handy, and they slide right in. If they are really burred, then I hit them with a little sand paper just to smooth them out, but that's it. You'd have to really try to mess them up, break them off, etc in the engine.

SSPerformance

iTrader: (76)

i use wood ones all the time.... if your not animal on it you will be fine

01formula6

iTrader: (7)

I personally used wood a few times and had 0 problems with them sanded and lubed. It is very unlikely they would break, but some of the other things people manage to do are also unlikely. How do people strip out the threads changing plugs, idk 99.9% chance the wood will be fine.

TooLateVTEC

iTrader: (2)

Ive used wooden dowels as well with success. Used a grinder to make one end a point and rocked out.

S10xGN

iTrader: (11)

No problem with the wood dowels, just that the passenger side goes in a bit tight. I'm thinking that 5/16" brake tubing flattened on one side would slide in easier. That said, the wood dowels are cheap and present no problems...

lower_the_dynamite

iTrader: (22)

These are the ones I made 23" each. Below is the video I made. I cut them to lenght and bent some handles. Also flattened the Passenger side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PcEiwAYe2k