Redrooster

Is it true that ls1 engines have some type of tab that will hold the lifter in place that you could pull the pushrods, rotate the engine, getting all the lifters up, and pull out the cam without removing the intake. I heard this the other day, and I though it was unlikely. If its true I will say that chevy is got some kickass engineering.

~JOSHUA

iTrader: (92)

Hopefully no one else will see this thread so you won't get screamed at. Go to the top right once you get into the category you want to search for and run your mouse over the search button. a box will appear and in that box you type a word you want to search for. It will pull a bunch of previous threads and you spend some time "searching". Also look at the stickies posted at the top of the forums. Welcome to the forum " NEWB".

99ssleeper

iTrader: (98)

As Firehawk says...please search...you'll find allthe info you need.

Yes, there are plastic locks, but dont count on them holding the lifters up. It isnt uncommon for them to be worn and let a lifter fall out in the middle of your cam swap.

99ssleeper

iTrader: (98)

Also, even if you did remove the intake, it wouldnt do you and good because you need to take the heads off to get the lifters out.

Just an FYI....

01_SuperSlow

iTrader: (7)

The lifters have some cups that hold them in place if you spin the cam a few times after taking out the pushrods. It is adviced to use pen magnets or some rods to keep them from sliding down though. So yes, it is true and you do not have to take the intake manifold off to do a cam swap.

Look up www.ls1howto.com for the install document

Redrooster

Sorry for the newb question. I just got so excited when I heard that I didn't take the time to research it. That's pretty impressive. I've been working on fords for years, but I'm new to the ls1 deal. I'm am more and more impressed with these cars everyday with what I learn. So with 58k I shouldn't depend on the cups to hold the lifters up then?

Redrooster

Never mind I just read the how to section.

Timberwolf

iTrader: (8)

I swapped them using the pen magnets technique. worked like a charm

99ssleeper

iTrader: (98)

Nope. Mine weren't holding at 45K...

pen magents work good, but try to find the ones with the 3/16" magnetic tip...the larger ones (3/8"?) are hard to get back out of the lifter hold-down trays. Took me 1/2 hour to get one of those bigger ones wiggled back out...

Take my word for it.

blkZ28spt

My vote goes to 5/16" dowel rods. Cheaper than pen magnets and they (the magnets) do not have a 100% success rate either. Searching should give you all the info you need on this too.However, you should ahve at least one pen magnet style magnet, I am told, to quickly and easily remove the keepers/locks once the spring is compressed.

Black Z/28

I agree. I used steel rods, 18 inches long before the bend for the handle. The left rod was 3/16" wrapped with velcro (a nice snug fit). And a powerful pen magnet to snag the keepers.

PREDATOR-Z

Relying on the cups to hold the lifters is called " Russian Roulette" technique.
Ring a bell.