Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

cam base circle/pushrod length ?s HELP!

Old 09-27-2013, 06:45 AM
  #1  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default cam base circle/pushrod length ?s HELP!

How do you find the cams base circle while heads are on? when i installed my cam i lined up cam gear 6 oclock & crank gear at 12 oclock, is that top dead center on #1 cylinder? and will the base circle be at the position i need to measure push rod length?
Old 09-27-2013, 09:29 AM
  #2  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Anyone?
Old 09-27-2013, 09:34 AM
  #3  
On The Tree
 
Fast98Z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I take the spark plug out of cyl. number 1, and have someone use their finger in the spark plug hole to tell when the piston is coming up as i am turning the engine over by the crank.
Old 09-27-2013, 10:00 AM
  #4  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

And thats how you find the position of base circle on the cam?

Last edited by allan808; 09-27-2013 at 10:17 AM.
Old 09-27-2013, 02:53 PM
  #5  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Anyone?
Old 09-27-2013, 05:07 PM
  #6  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

So i been reading for days now and im trying to figure out where my cam needs to be to measure for pushrod length, so if the piston is at tdc will the cam base be at the lifters? is there a way to use the timing gears so i know where the base circle is? or am i thinking to much and should just put piston on tdc and measure from there?
Old 09-27-2013, 08:40 PM
  #7  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Wow, 109 views! only 1 reply.
Old 09-27-2013, 10:38 PM
  #8  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

all i need is pushrods and im done with motor, but cant get an answer and my manual isnt helping!

Last edited by allan808; 09-29-2013 at 12:20 AM.
Old 09-27-2013, 11:48 PM
  #9  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (96)
 
01ssreda4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 0
Received 79 Likes on 70 Posts

Default

Well, a lot of the guys frequenting here are looking for answers just like you. Some tech veterans that still come around make take a while to get to your question.

No, just don't just put on TDC and measure for pushrods. 6 o clock and 12 oc clock or 12 o clock and 12 o clock are both TDC.....Anytime the crank is at 12 the number 1 piston is at TDC. The cam's sprocket determines whether its compression or exhaust stroke.

For finding the cam's base circle, this method is simple and works:
If you are not familiar with the EO/IC method for determining valve events in a 4 stroke engine, its very simple:
For a given cylinder as the Exhaust valve is Opening, the intake lifter will be on the base circle of the cam and lash/preload should be checked for that intake valve.
For a given cylinder as the Intake valve is Closing, the exhaust lifter will be on the base circle of the cam and lash/preload should be checked for that exhaust valve.
Old 09-28-2013, 09:30 AM
  #10  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
crainholio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by allan808
120 views in 16 hrs and not one person can give me a simple answer? i remember when this site was active for tech questions, now it seems if your post doesnt start with,build thread, wow enging blew etc, you dont get much replys!
sorry had to vent! all i need is pushrods and im done with motor, but cant get an answer and my manual isnt helping!
That's because a lot of people got sick of answering the same questions over and over and over. Like the one you posted.

Sorry had to vent.

I took a shot at helping you in one of your other posts and hope that gets you moving in the right direction.
Old 09-28-2013, 09:43 AM
  #11  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The thing is i only have one pushrod tool, i have no pushrods.how can i determin the valve movement with one rod? Would i have to setup the ex and turn the crank till it starts to open, then unbolt that rocker and put the rod in the intake and measure from there?

Last edited by allan808; 09-28-2013 at 09:49 AM.
Old 09-28-2013, 10:09 AM
  #12  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
crainholio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by allan808
The thing is i only have one pushrod tool, i have no pushrods.how can i determin the valve movement with one rod? Would i have to setup the ex and turn the crank till it starts to open, then unbolt that rocker and put the rod in the intake and measure from there?
Put your one pushrod (the tool set just short of 7.400") in the intake lifter slot, install the rocker so the pushrod and lifter are in contact, and observe the rocker's movement while you turn the crank. Intake valve closing (pushrod moving downward) shows you are approaching TDC firing. The exhaust lifter will be on base circle for sure, so you can take your measurement as well.

Post your measurements in terms of turns of the pushrod checker tool from completely closed position.
Old 09-28-2013, 10:10 AM
  #13  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
A.R. Shale Targa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Fredonia,WI
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

You answered your own question. Put your checker in the ex. and rotate the
engine till it's roughly halfway open, then remove and use to measure the in.
When checking the ex. for length set the engine where the in. has met max
lift and just starts to close. You should be using light checking springs or
remove the outers(assuming duals) and just set up the inners for much less
pressure when unbolting the rocker arms so as to not strip out the threads in
the heads. You may end up with 2 different lengths depending on the diff-
erent lobes of your cam but most pick a compromising length between the
two measurements which will have adecuate preload for both.
Old 09-28-2013, 04:39 PM
  #14  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by A.R. Shale Targa
You answered your own question. Put your checker in the ex. and rotate the
engine till it's roughly halfway open, then remove and use to measure the in.
When checking the ex. for length set the engine where the in. has met max
lift and just starts to close. You should be using light checking springs or
remove the outers(assuming duals) and just set up the inners for much less
pressure when unbolting the rocker arms so as to not strip out the threads in
the heads. You may end up with 2 different lengths depending on the diff-
erent lobes of your cam but most pick a compromising length between the
two measurements which will have adecuate preload for both.
Engine is assembled, i have prc eht .675 spring on it not checker springs
Old 09-28-2013, 10:51 PM
  #15  
Teching In
 
pcsmits1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

leave the rocker off put the push rod on the lifter turn the motor over while you hold the pushrod in place once you feel it go all the way up and down turn it a little past it comes down and you are on the base circle of the cam
Old 09-29-2013, 12:30 AM
  #16  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by crainholio
Put your one pushrod (the tool set just short of 7.400") in the intake lifter slot, install the rocker so the pushrod and lifter are in contact, and observe the rocker's movement while you turn the crank. Intake valve closing (pushrod moving downward) shows you are approaching TDC firing. The exhaust lifter will be on base circle for sure, so you can take your measurement as well.

Post your measurements in terms of turns of the pushrod checker tool from completely closed position.
My measurements came out to be on.
7.400 pushrod, intake 1.6 turns & exhaust 1.7 turns
7.375 pushrod, intake 1.3/8 turns & exhaust 1.45
Old 09-29-2013, 01:42 AM
  #17  
Teching In
 
pcsmits1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

7.375 looks like that is about perfect
Old 09-29-2013, 07:41 PM
  #18  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Anyone else?
Old 09-29-2013, 08:07 PM
  #19  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
X-Bomb Racing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

You're checking where your rocker is riding on the tip of the valve and adjusting the push rod to make it ride closest to the center while you rotate the motor aren't you? Just making sure your doing it right.
Old 09-29-2013, 08:40 PM
  #20  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
allan808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by X-Bomb Racing
You're checking where your rocker is riding on the tip of the valve and adjusting the push rod to make it ride closest to the center while you rotate the motor aren't you? Just making sure your doing it right.

What i did was, on #1 cylinder tdc, i watched as the intake got to full open then measured the exh side. Then turned the engine till exh was full open then measured the intake! is that correct?

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: cam base circle/pushrod length ?s HELP!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:48 PM.